PITCH unavailability ruled out Barry Youth’s league visit to Pontypridd, so head coach Peter O’Sullivan swiftly arranged an evening friendly under the lights. Barry’s team, a mix of under-16s and first-year youth ran in seven tries to win comfortably.
Zach Gregg set the tone with a thumping hit from the kick off. The forwards were dominant at scrum and lineout, led by Sam Thomas in his first game as captain. No 8 Riley Hawkins shone up front, and Cam Hughes and Marley Paines-Lang ran the show at half-back.
Vice-captain Lloyd Beer led a young backline and ran some lovely lines, Barry getting several quality scores on a fast track. Full back Zak Phillips got the first try but was unfortunately forced off after a heavy collision in the act of dotting down.
The other scores came from Dom Dukes, Cam Hughes, replacement full back Jacob Hunter and three from a flying Fin Burrows. Hughes landed five of his seven conversions.
Forwards coach James Hadfield emphasised that speed to the contact area wasn’t good enough, and against stronger teams Barry would be punished. But the positives far outweighed the negatives.
Head coach Peter O’Sullivan thought it was a great start for the team that will become next season’s youth team, but acknowledged there was lots to work on with line speed in defence a key area to look at.
Before the match, a minute’s silence was held in memory of former Brynmawr Youth coach Paul Ashby, who died recently. Barry Youth are back in Cardiff Division Two action on Saturday with a tough trip away to Rhiwbina.
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