It’s an away day for Barry as the new Admiral League rugby season starts with a visit to Llanharan on September 6th.
One week later, the Bombers host neighbours Penarth in a Division 1 East Central derby which has been switched from later in the month because of a fixture clash.
The local derby was originally scheduled for September 27th, but Penarth are involved in the Division 1 Cup first round, so the clubs agreed the date change. Barry have a bye that weekend.
The switch means Barry will almost certainly be in action on six consecutive weekends. The Bombers host pre-season matches, against Canton on August 16th and Nantyffllon on August 30th, and are arranging an away friendly on the Saturday between.
Abercynon visit the Reservoir Field in the league on September 20th.
Pre-season training started at the beginning of July, with most of the first team squad from last season being involved, although Jack Davies has moved to Cardiff, while Daf Jones and Victor Corrihons have switched to Cross Keys.
Flynn Baker is training with Barry but may switch to a Championship club, while it is hoped all will be available to play for Barry at times during the season.
Head coach Mike Morgan expects to bring in a few new players, along with some from last season’s youth squad, winners of the WRU Youth Plate in May.
Morgan feels his squad is strong. “Other than Daf, the pack is the same as last season. We have retained most of the backs, and with new players coming in the backs will be stronger,” he said.
Although Barry will not be running a second team in the Conference as had been hoped, Morgan expects to provide what he terms “additional rugby - an opportunity for younger players and older players who are semi-retired to continue playing and who might be lost to the sport if they don’t get game time.”
This would mean friendly fixtures, perhaps linking with another club in a similar position playing strength-wise, and give coaches the chance to look at younger players and assess their levels of skill and ability.
There are three new teams in Division 1 East Central - Caerphilly and St Albans were promoted from Division 2 and Cambrian Welfare were relegated from the Championship East after one season. Last season’s opponents Rhiwbina and Porth were relegated, while St Joseph’s were promoted.
As per last season, Barry are in a ten-team division and scheduled to play 11 of their eighteen games prior to Christmas. The return derby at Penarth is on January 3rd, with the season due to conclude on February 28th with a visit to Caerphilly.
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