Admiral National League Division 1 (East Central): BARRY (3) 3 PENARTH (21) 45

Local bragging rights belong to Penarth after a seven-try victory in the first meeting between the clubs for six years. Derby matches are often unpredictable, and this certainly wasn’t the result many would have expected.

Barry, fielding several young players, were perhaps more affected by the emotion and intensity of the occasion, with a large crowd keeping up the volume throughout, the visiting supporters certainly having plenty to cheer about.

Predictably there were flare-ups, three in the first ten minutes of the game, the third leaving Barry a man short courtesy of a yellow card, Penarth capitalising with a couple of tries against the 14 men. A second yellow card, later, cost a further two tries.

“We just didn’t get into shape,” said head coach Mike Morgan. “Our focus just wasn’t there, and we were not dialled in from a playing perspective. As a result we made too many mistakes, which gave Penarth momentum and allowed them opportunities.

“I think with a lot of it out there, we beat ourselves. That’s what stings, players coming off the field knowing they could have, should have done much better. We didn’t do what we are supposed to do, and that’s a tough one to take.”

Owen Rees had given Barry a second-minute lead, but any hopes that this would prove a springboard for a perfect opening day result for the hosts were soon dashed.

Three tries saw Penarth 21-3 ahead at the interval, with Barry getting more and more frustrated as decisions went against them. Four more tries followed in the second half, with second awarded after Penarth appeared to knock on in the build-up.

Barry kept battling, largely in vain, Flynn Baker producing a brilliant try-saving tackle in the 73rd minute, but by then the game had long gone.

Morgan felt this was a hard lesson for Barry’s young players. “What we have learned today is that you have to play with two things, high emotion because it’s sport, but at that higher emotive state you have to keep your concentration. We didn’t.”

Penarth scorers: tries - Rhys Benson (10 minutes), Spencer Robinson (23), Josh Hurley (40), Luc Kearn-Rorms (43), Miles Jones (55, 60), George Roberts (76); conv – Ben Jones 5.

*A minute’s silence was observed before the match in memory of former scrum half Geoff Coles and long-term club member Michael Holmes.

*There are no league matches on September 14. Barry visit Llanishen on September 21.