Powerful Rhiwbina squad are too strong for Barry Youth

BARRY’S hopes of defending the trophy won last season were dashed by Rhiwbina, the only team to have beaten the Young Bombers previously this season. Their cause was not helped by half-term holidays, and a postponement request was rejected by the WRU, which left them with just 19 players.

They were under pressure from the start from a powerful Rhiwbina pack and a well-drilled set of backs. Barry repelled wave after wave of attacks, with man of match Mav Jennings in particular putting himself about. However, Rhiwbina scored first after six minutes.

The rest of the half proved much the same, with Barry defending. It’s a credit to their effort that they conceded just three more points before the interval.

Barry kicked tactically in the second half, but after a 50-22 kick was judged to have gone dead, Rhiwbina capitalised from a scrum back deep in the Barry half, going over in the corner to extend their lead.

This was now a real uphill battle, but Barry fought their way back in with Cam Hughes going over from 20 metres out to reduce the deficit to 17-7. Rhiwbina immediately put on five fresh forwards, and when Hughes was sin-binned for going in at the side of a ruck, Barry found themselves under their posts once more.

Barry fought back for a second time with scores from Charlie Hutton, after a neat crossfield kick, and Rueben Williams, following a tremendous break from replacement full back Marley Paines-Lang, who had stepped up from the under-16s. However, Rhiwbina increased their lead, and then grabbed their final try in the last minute.

The coaches were full of praise for the effort and fight in the squad. “The scrum and lineout were good, the lads’ character and fitness cannot be questioned,” said head coach Peter O’Sullivan, “but unfortunately another slow start has cost us. In previous games we’ve fought back and won, but on this occasion Rhiwbina had too much, and the better team won.”

*Barry are back in league action on Saturday, with a Cardiff Rugby South One fixture at Llandaff.

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