Two wins from their two build-up games, and encouraging news about injured players, have given Barry a boost prior to the new Admiral National League Division One East Central rugby season which starts with a visit to Llanharan on Saturday.
Aled Rees (hamstring) and Rhys Powell (knee) were both injured in the first pre-season match and initial fears were that both would be ruled out for a large part of the season.
Rees suffered a partial tear to his hamstring and, if recovery goes well, could be back in action some time in November. Powell has resumed light training – touch and pass – and may well be back earlier than Rees.
On Saturday, Barry beat Division One West Central Nantyffyllon 5-0 in a game played in heavy rain, with head coach Mike Morgan ringing the changes, some positional, from two weeks earlier. Dan Hobson, suffering from a sore neck, was rested. Owen Rees, normally playing at 10, moved to nine to replace his injured brother.
The game was won in the last minute, former Youth player Louie Norman scoring his first try for the senior side.
“It was not a day for running rugby,” said head coach Mike Morgan, who was generally pleased with the performance. “The ball was so greasy. We were getting into good areas, and you have to work to get into those areas.”
The pack performed well, with Tyler O’Connor playing at loose head, and then switching to hooker. “These are games you can experiment a little bit,” said Morgan. “Tyler gives us another front rower in a strong pack. We were solid in the set piece and produced some lovely driving mauls.”
The visit to Llanharan last season ended in a narrow defeat, a late penalty denying Barry a losing bonus point. Morgan is aware that it will be a tough game at the Dairy Field, the hosts having recruited strongly over the summer.
But Morgan feels his squad is stronger, and more experienced, than last season. Tom Evers, briefly with Barry last season, is now free to play after registration issues have been resolved, and Brennan Logan is back from university.
The testing start to the new season continues on 13 September when Penarth visit the Reservoir Field in a derby fixture switched from later in the month. The Second and Youth teams will also be at home that day. Abercynon, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, visit Barry on 20 September.
Ken Watkins
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