AFTER a gap of six years, local rivalry will be renewed on Saturday (September 7) when Barry RFC host Penarth in the opening Admiral National League Division 1 East fixture of the 2024-25 season.

The teams last met in season 2017-18 in Division 2 East Central, when Penarth finished bottom of the table. But the Athletic Field club have fought their way back up, culminating in promotion to Division 1 as runners-up to Division 2 champions Llanharan last season.

The derby, at the Reservoir Field (2.30pm), will be the first of 18 games in a division which has been reduced to ten teams following the relegation of Ynysybwl at the end of last season.

Local bragging rights will obviously be at stake, and the Penarth coaching team took the opportunity to watch a mix and match Barry line-up in the first of the Bombers’ pre-season games against Pill Harriers.

Barry’s squad then was hit by holidays and injuries, and again the following week against Newport HSOB. And the situation will be the same for the Penarth fixture, with head coach Mike Morgan knowing that absences will dictate who makes the matchday squad.

Morgan is well aware of the significance of a derby match. “Everybody will put a lot on this game,” he said, “but for us it has to be one game of 18. We will go into every game with the same level of determination and grit. Physically prepped, mentally prepped, rugby prepped.”

He decided against having a third pre-season fixture on August 31. “We didn’t want to risk any injuries before the opener.” So training sessions for the two weeks between Newport HSOB and Penarth have been “a reflective period, a fitness period, and making sure the boys are happy.”

There is one change in the coaching line up from last season. Mike Prosser has stepped aside following his election as club chairman. Former player Marc Devine joins the team and will be focusing on defence and the contact area.

Llanishen, promoted along with Penarth and Llanharan, complete the line-up of new opponents. Cambrian Welfare, Division 1 champions last season, have moved up to the Championship East with Aberdare and Mountain Ash. Barry’s other opponents for the coming season are Abercwmboi, Abercynon, Porth Harlequins, Rhiwbina, Rhydyfelin, St Josephs.