Barry Youth make a fine start to New Year campaign

BARRY YOUTH kicked off their Division Two campaign with an emphatic bonus point victory, scoring nine tries, with Tom Provis grabbing three in the first half.

Barry came out of the blocks quickly and used the accurate lineout throwing of hooker Jensen Wilding as a reliable source of possession. This resulted in two scores inside the first 10 minutes, with the Barry back line able to sweep the ball from right to left for wing Tom Provis to dot down for an early double.

Barry looked confident, but two costly mix ups in good attacking positions allowed Abercwmboi to capitalise and level the scores with two tries midway through the half.

Barry regained control, with outside half Cam Hughes creating two more scores, first using a clever kick for Provis to gather for a his hat-trick, and then his passing to create the space for full back Austin Cafferey to grab the fourth try under the posts on the stroke of half-time.

The second half belonged entirely to Barry with two scores from vice-captain Isaac Thomas before further scores for second row Mav Jennings and man of the match Jacob Maggs.

With 20 minutes to go, Barry emptied the bench, but the dominance continued. Fit again No 8 Riley Hawkins’ powerful carrying showing everyone what the team had been missing in the last few games. Barry also used two talented under-16s players, Fin Burrows and Marley Paines-Lang, off the bench. Both made good ground in attack, with fullback Paines-Lang showing all his potential with the final score of the game, beating three defenders on a weaving 40-metre run to the line.

Provis, Hughes and Paines-Lang added the other 15 points with six conversions and one penalty.

The coaches were really pleased with the start to the new year. “The discipline was good throughout and as the confidence grew we played some nice rugby,” said head coach Peter O’Sullivan.

“We were guilty of leaving three or four tries out there in the first half and gifting the opposition 10 points which could prove costly against stronger opposition. Lots to work on but really pleased with a bonus point win to start 2026.”

Barry travel to Pontypridd on Saturday for their next league fixture.

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