Barry Youth wrapped up their pre-season programme with a hard-fought 22-14 derby win over Old Penarthians.
A second-half comeback for the young Bombers made it four wins from four before their opening Regional Youth League fixture at Pontypridd next weekend.
Old Pens had a strong under-16 side last season, and inevitably they started strongly, although Barry took an early lead with a try. Twenty minutes of stalemate followed before the hosts went 7-5 in front just before the interval.
“We regrouped at half-time,” said head coach John Dimond. “There was a lot of arm wrestling going on in the forwards, but we were a bit more astute in the second half.”
Old Pens increased their lead to 14-5, but shortly afterwards, Barry applied the pressure and forced a lineout error when the home side panicked and a clearance kicked was charged down.
A converted try made it 14-12, and the momentum changed, Barry taking the lead with a penalty. “After that, it was basically down to whoever wanted it in the last ten minutes,” said Dimond.
Despite losing Morgan Prosser with a shoulder injury, Barry’s high fitness levels meant they finished strongly in the last 20 minutes, clearing their lines two minutes from time, working the ball down to the other end, and a converted try secured victory.
With Pontypridd’s first team in Admiral Premiership action against Newbridge at Sardis Road on Saturday, Barry’s youth team fixture will be kicking off at midday.
Barry scorers: Tries – Morgan Prosser, Caelan Hurley, Joe Jenkins
Conversions – Hurley 2; penalty – Hurley.
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