13/09/2026
Report by Ken Watkins
Cardiff South Division 2
Barry Youth: 29 Cowbridge Youth: 17
Another bonus point victory, and much more convincing than the previous week. A dominant scrum, and some excellent handing and running, saw Barry score five quality tries in windy conditions at the Reservoir Field.
Barry’s scrum dominance, which frequently had Cowbridge back pedalling, unfortunately lasted only for the first half. With the visitors having no front row specialists on their bench, necessary second half changes meant passive scrums for the second successive match.
“To be fair, Cowbridge told us in midweek they didn’t have front row replacements,” said head coach Peter O’Sullivan. “We had a decent advantage there, and it got taken away from us again. We were kind of ready for it, we adapted quickly and brought a more mobile pack on.
“It’s another bonus point win, against a good side. Last week we had ten good minutes out of 70, today I felt maybe we had more like 40.”
Although Cowbridge took an early lead, playing up the slope and against the strong wind, Barry controlled much of the first half, responding with three tries for a 19-7 interval lead.
Fin Burrows got the first, after 14 minutes, following a catch and drive, and good hands moving the ball swiftly across the pitch. Barry’s lineout, well drilled by coach James Hadfield, proved a potent source of possession.
A powerful scrum drive, and good handling, saw Riley Thomas add to the lead in the 28th minute. Marley Paines-Lang, who converted both, scored the third in the 32nd minute after swift hands had set him up for a sparkling jinking run which left defenders flailing.
Cowbridge scored a second try shortly after the interval, but Barry hit back immediately, a quickly-taken 40th minute tap penalty putting George Strong in, and Burrows got his second in the 53rd minute following another excellent flowing handling move. The 29-12 lead was cut by a third try for the visitors four minutes later.
“Much better than last week. We worked on being a bit more sensible in our own half, especially with the wind and the hill. Kicking overall was a lot more controlled. Some good tries again,” said O’Sullivan. “Charlie Hutton and Max O’Sullivan worked hard at the breakdown and allowed Cam Hughes and Marley to control the game.
“Pleased with lots of aspects, system was better, structure was better, but we were disappointed that Cowbridge were quicker at the breakdown than us. That’s a big work on for us.”
The division’s two unbeaten sides meet on Saturday, when Cardiff Quins are the South 2 visitors, and Barry can expect a stern test, Quins having beaten Pentyrch 62-7 and Llandaff 69-19 in their opening matches.
Cowbridge: tries - Ciaran Boone (3min), Xavier Littlewood (38), Zach George (57); conv - Eli Hickman (3min).
