Penarth clinched the first local bragging rights of the Admiral League with a 41-14 derby win at Barry in Division One East Central.
The hosts' slow start the Reservoir Field proved costly, with the Bears comfortably taking the honours just as they had done last season - building up a 29-0 lead at the break with Osian Coates scoring two of their four tries.
The Bombers, despite improving in the second half, never really looked like bridging the gap.
That first half performance was punctuated by a high penalty count against Barry - some of them self-inflicted - as frustration gradually grew, while Penarth, slicker and quicker in the first 40 minutes, took advantage to build an unassailable bonus-point lead.
Barry, playing against a strong wind in the first period, had to battle in their own 22 as Penarth exploited the conditions effectively.
“When you are pinned back it’s difficult to find momentum,” said Barry head coach Mike Morgan. “Against a team like Penarth who like to attack, attack, attack you are going to be on the back foot."
“The boys did find it hard to get out of the 22, but sometimes you’ve got to just hold on to the ball, and make smart decisions. At times we didn’t do that today."
"We can debate the referee’s decisions all day long, but there were situations in that game that we could have controlled. We should have been better.”
Penarth added to their lead at the start of the second half via Will Odgers, but the hosts gradually improved as Morgan brought players off the bench - singling out Jack Reid for making an impact. “He did bring line speed and aggressiveness in the contact area, and others started following suit.”
And with Morgan Prosser controlling things more in the second half with some excellent kicking from hand, Barry improved, but they were never really able to put Penarth under the same amount of intense pressure the Bombers had to endure in the first half.
Barry finally got on the scoresheet through Dan Hobson, going over from close range in the 59th minute after a spell of pressure near the posts with Morgan Prosser converting.
And a penalty try in the 71st minute further reduced the arrears, but it was too late to make a difference, with the last word going to Tom Griffiths, running in Penarth's sixth try of the afternoon.
Morgan felt his side had been given a harsh lesson. “We’ve got to get out of the blocks from the start, not just in the second half. Sometimes it wasn’t just Penarth putting the pressure on, we made mistakes. Errors early on really damaged us."
“We didn’t go away. Irrespective of the score they kept fighting. But we came out second best today, and we all – players and coaches – have to take that on the chin.”
Penarth scorers: tries - Osian Coates (6', 22'), Luc Kearn-Adams (26'), Owen Lloyd (39'), Will Odgers (43'), Tom Griffiths (79')
Conversions - Ben Jones x4, penalty - Ben Jones.
Barry scorers: tries - Dan Hobson (59'), penalty try (71')
Conversion - Morgan Prosser
Penarth top the table after back-to-back wins as attention turns to their first home game of the season against Rhydyfelin on Saturday - while Barry, who have lost both of their opening games, are at home again to Abercynon, who beat Abercwmboi 22-20.
---
Cowbridge opened their Division Two season with a narrow 28-24 defeat at home to Cardiff Quins, while in Division Six, a new look Sully Sports romped home to a 59-7 win at home to Whitchurch.
The first full Saturday of the league season sees Cowbridge travel to Rhiwbina, while in Division Three, Dinas Powys host Ferndale and Llantwit Major entertain Llandaff.
Old Penarthians visit Cardiff Met Athletic in their first away game in Division Five, while Sully Sports make the short trip to Rumney Athletic.
And next Sunday sees Old Penarthians begin their WRU Women's Championship season at Lampeter.
Barry Ladies edged out at Wrexham
Young Bombers rally against Beddau
Ellis poised for Wales RL debut
Barry rout Bala in statement win
All square for Llantwit and Caerau
Barry Town on canvas
Barry Ladies game switched to Racecourse
Barry reach MG Cup quarter finals
Sully prepare for Division Six kick-off
Barry beaten by leaders Cofis
Penarth kick off with Abercynon win
Bombers host youth rugby festival
Llantwit break Cymru South duck
Opening day defeat for Barry Women
Llantwit draw Ponty in WBS Cup
Barry Town United AFC announce new community partnership with Bro Radio
Barry Athletic ladies retain league titles
