
Barry's new-look youth side held Newport HSOB to a 14-14 draw in a pre-season friendly at the Reservoir Field.
The young Bombers, led by new captain Rhys Behrens, started strongly and were dominant in the contact area and scrums.
However, as the scrum was so dominant the referee decided to go uncontested after 15 minutes as a safety precaution. This, along with several heavy downpours, changed the shape of the game and meant plenty of handling errors by both teams.
A couple of these errors led to two converted scores for the visitors, but each time, Barry replied with scores of their own from Behrens and back rower Jacob Maggs, following a powerful run from the impressive no8 Riley Hawkins. Both tries were converted by Tom Provis.
Head coach Peter O’Sullivan said he and new forwards coach James Hadfield and backs coach Rhodri Thomas were “really pleased with the commitment, effort and attitude the new-look side showed in their first game”.
On Saturday, Barry host a 16-team youth tournament with four groups of tour teams competing for the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield.
Barry face group matches against Brecon, St Albans and Gwernyfed in three 30 minute games with the group winners going through to the Cup semi-finals. The tournament starts at the Reservoir Field at 11.45am.