Fixture

A strong final quarter saw Barry home against Old Illtydians in a game in which they looked like losing for long periods as they struggled to match the pace of the home threequarters especially in the first half.

Barry could not have got off to a better start as with just minutes gone O'Sullivan took advantage of a loose ball from a lineout to cross unopposed under the posts giving Barross an easy conversion and a 7 point lead.

The lead was however shortlived as the Illts began spreading the ball wide, orchestrated by their outside half who varied his passing to create worrying gaps in the Barry defence.

Moving the ball from their home 22, slick passing saw them create the necessary space to cross for a converted try and bring the scores level.

The warning signs were there that any loose kicking would spell danger on the counter and unfortunately the message didn't get through as Barry continued to put themselves under pressure and with more accuracy and a less effective defence they could not have complained had they gone behind.

As it was Barry were to be the next to score as an infringement at the breakdown gave Barross the penalty chance, one which he didn't turn down.

Barry still played into the hands of the Illts backs as once again they countered from a poor clearance with their pace taking them clear of the defence to cross for a second try which went unconverted.

To add to Barry's woes they lost Hadfield to injury being replaced by Myles.

The game continued in the same vein with Barry spending most of the game in defence but still managing to keep the line intact helped by some poor decision making by the home side as they spurned more scoring opportunities.

It was only in the final minutes of the half that Barry put a meaningful attack together which had the final ball gone to hand would have seen them take a half time lead rather than end it only two points adrift.

The home side   must have wondered how they weren't well in front such had been their territorial dominance in the first forty minutes.

Barry needed a tactical rethink at halftime but suffered an early setback when a chip ahead caught the defence out of position but fortunately Ryan managed to save the day at the cost of a scrum to the home side.

The scrummaging in the game to that point had not seemed to have caused any concern for the referee, but for some reason as the Illts applied the pressure he saw fit to penalise Barry by awarding a penalty try for what seemed to be the first offence, a decision which took them clear at 19 - 10.

Following this score Barry took the opportunity to ring the changes bringing on E Scott and B. White for Provis and Bussittil in the backs and Such for Oaten up front.

The momentum suddenly changed as Barry began to keep the ball in hand and make inroads into the home defence.

A break by White saw the game move into the home 22 where swift recycling saw Barross find some space to put Evans over for a well worked try.with a successful conversion from Barross, Barry were only two points adrift.

The try obviously gave Barry some confidence and for the first time it was the Illts having to defend as a series of attacks threatened 

their line.

With the reshaped pack getting on top in the tight Barry were enjoying the best period of the game, and it was no surprise when Barry drove at the lineout to finally spread the ball for Barross to find himself in space to cross for a try wide out and the same player added to the score with a fine conversion to take them into the lead for the first time since the 4th minute of the match.

Now it was all Barry as they earned a penalty for Barross to stretch the lead to 8 points.

The Illts were trying everything to get back in the game still attacking where possible, but unfortunately for them the final pass to the wing on one occasion was intercepted by Ryan who raced 60m to touch down in the corner which went unconverted but put Barry into a winning lead of 32 points to 19.

This proved to be the last move as the final whistle went and Barry had a bonus point win which had looked unlikely for more than threequarters of the game.

Still a win is a win but it would be good to see the team perform as well for eighty minutes as they did today for twenty.They have the talent and ability to achieve this but sometimes appear to be tactically naive, the effect of this just puts them under more pressure than they need to be.

Next Saturday Barry will be at home to Llanishen in a League fixture , kick off 2.30pm.

Winning Lottery Numbers for last week were 01 - 03 - 07 and 15 which went unclaimed making this weeks jackpot £4250