Fixture

I think both players and coaches will be glad to see the end of the season as the Club struggled through the last eight games with a side decimated by injury and unavailability and a fixture list which included five games against the top three sides in the League.

Credit to the squad who were still competitive in all their games and with a little bit of good fortune could have won some of these games.

The final game saw Barry entertain Cardiff Harlequins in a high scoring game with Barry again suffering defeat in the final minutes to lose 43 - 38.

Barry opened with the game with attacking optimism and were totally on top in the early minutes.

Failure to use an overlap which would have resulted in a try cost them dearly as the Quins countered and a poor clearance created the space for a converted try against the run of play.

Quins were more than willing to run the ball themselves and were rewarded minutes later as weak tackling gifted them a second unconverted try and a 12 point lead.

These setbacks stirred Barry into action but some poor decision making and execution  was making life difficult.

They finally got themselves into a scoring position through their forwards and following a couple of driving lineouts breached the defence to score with Kyle Barross getting the conversion.

Despite a few awkward moments Barry maintained the pressure on the Quins defence which appeared sound until the ball was spread wide to create a try wide out on the touchline added to by a fine conversion from Kyle Barross and suddenly they led by 14 - 12.

Quins came straight back from the restart and camped inside the Barry half with the defence  struggling to clear and their efforts were rewarded again as they crossed for another converted try to give them the lead once more.

The game swung back and for and minutes later it was Barry back in the lead following a  huge effort from the scrum forced the defence to retreat and swift Barry handling gave Matt O'Sullivan the try with Kyle Barross converting

The lead didn't last long as in the final minute of the half Barry were penalised near their line and Quins broke through for a converted try to give them a half time lead by 26 - 21.

Harsh words at half time worked as Barry playing with more intent stormed into the Quins 22 and got an early score from Tom Perry which again Kyle Barross converted with the score now standing in their favour 28 - 26.

They maintained this supremacy and seemed now to have the measure of the Quins.The passing became more accurate and together with a pack having the better of it up front things looked promising.This was confirmed as they scored again with some slick handling for another try and Kyle Barross conversion and a 9 point lead.

With the game theirs to win Barry had more opportunities to increase the lead but failed to take them including unfortunately losing the ball over the line on one occasion.

Somehow Quins managed to escape this pressure and after a penalty saw them take play to the Barry 22, the driving lineout tied in the Barry defence allowing them to cross for a converted try and cut the lead to only 2 points.

As the game entered the last ten minutes both sides were conscious that the next score could win the game.

Barry still had the upperhand but Quins had shown that they were also capable scoring and dangerous.

The impasse was broken as Barry earned a penalty on the half way line which Kyle Barross slotted between the uprights and they now enjoyed a 5 point lead.

It was time for one last throw of the dice for Quins and they got themselves into the Barry 22.Solid recycling put the defence under pressure

which finally ran out of numbers conceding a converted try and importantly the lead.

As you would expect Quins only had to look after the ball for the remaining minutes to achieve an unlikely victory.This they did by denying Barry any possession despite their efforts and earning themselves a late penalty, which they converted.

That kick ended the game which had seen plenty of tries but in the end a disappointing defeat for Barry by 43 - 38.

The two bonus points Barry earned from the game moved them into 5th place in the League and although perhaps not what the Club had hoped for but understandable considering the problems mentioned earlier in this report.

As ever there has been no lack of effort from the Players and Coaches throughout the season and they are to be congratulated for that.

No overall winner of the Club Lottery last week the winning numbers being 06 - 13 - 19 and 24 and there were no £10 winners.

This weeks jackpot will be £1650