Fixture

In one of their best performances of the season Barry stunned League contenders Aberdare at the Reservoir Field last Saturday in an enthralling encounter worthy of both sides.

On a cold day, with a heavy pitch Barry got off to the best start possible with a try after only three minutes after good work from Rob Williams and Einan Scott had taken play into the visitors 22. The lineout that followed saw Barry catch and drive creating the try for Alyn Evans which Kyle Barross converted for a 7 point lead.

Aberdare began to show why they are near the top of the table as they began to use their forward power to disrupt Barry at the set piece and create good ball for their backs to use.Thanks to some solid defending Barry refused to buckle and got themselves back upfield where they were awarded another penalty which Kyle Barross converted to lead by 10 points.

The aggression of the Aberdare eight came to the fore as they looked to get themselves into the game and after driving Barry off the ball they were in the home 22 for the first time.Despite being thwarted on three occasions they finally managed to breach the defence as their scrum half dummied and jinked his way through as defenders stood still and with the conversion successful the deficit was down to 3 points.

Worse was to come immediately as a speculative clearance from the restart was allowed to bounce between two defenders giving an open run to the line for a try which although unconverted suddenly gave Aberdare the lead by 1 point.

Restarts  were causing problems for both sides only  this time it was Aberdare's turn to suffer as they conceded a penalty quickly followed 

by another giving Kyle Barross the chance to put Barry back into the lead, a chance he took.

Barry continued to fail to match the aggression of the visitors and were struggling as half time approached.Aberdare made this advantage count as Barry were forced into conceding penalties. A lineout following a penalty saw them initially drive at the Barry line before spreading the ball wide for their third try which they failed to convert but gave them the lead 13 - 17 as the half time whistle went.

It was obvious that if they were to get the result Barry would need to be more aggressive and add some pace to their game.

Whatever was said at half time worked for Barry as they opened the second half as they began the match with an early try created by being more competitive on the ball which gave Tom Perry the chance to feed Brad White who sailed over the line for the try and with Kyle Barross converting Barry were back in the lead at 20 - 17.

This success seemed to work wonders for the Barry side as now it was the visitors who began to struggle as Barry met fire with fire and were being dominant in most phases of the game.

With the side going so well it came as no surprise when Barry went further into the lead when Alyn Evans broke from loose play to make 50m. giving the ball to supporting Einan Scott for a try which Kyle Barross again converted for a lead 27 - 17.

Aberdare at this stage had no answer to the rampaging Barry side who were looking now for the bonus point fourth try they richly deserved.

Twice they appeared to have done that only to be called back by the referee. On the third occasion when it seemed they had got the ball down they were penalised and the chance had gone.

Finally getting some relief Aberdare got themselves into Barry territory and for nearly five minutes put pressure on the defence which by now was in no mood to concede their advantage or points.

The see saw nature of the game with both sides prepared to attack led to an interesting last few minutes but no scores leaving the final score 27 - 17 in Barry's favour.

As mentioned earlier this was a fine performance from Barry and a credit to the squad selected and it would be unfair to mention individuals in what was a game where everyone played his part.

The win moves Barry up to third in the table where things are tight between the top five sides and with Barry due to play those around them in the coming weeks they will need to maintain the form they showed in this game to get the results they want.

Barry are at home again this week as they entertain Abercynon who despite their lowly League position have always proved difficult opponents in the past. Kick Off as usual will be 2.30pm

The Club Lottery will rollover to £8200 this weekend as last weeks numbers of 03- 11 - 20 and 24 were not matched.