Fixture

By Andy Jamieson

Quite rightly the Coaching Team and supporters alike were excited with the performance of the Barry squad after an exciting Swalec Plate encounter against First Division opponents Rumney at the Reservoir Field last Saturday.

Although they lost the game 28 - 22 the result was in doubt up to the final whistle and really could have gone either way.

Barry got of to a flyer as a deep clearance from Scott put them just short of the line. Winning a second lineout the ball reached Scott whose clever chip ahead was taken by Moyle to cross unopposed and with the conversion gave them an early lead after 5 mins.

The visitors clearly shocked by this early reverse pressurised Barry, but a solid defence was frustrating them at every turn and it was only penalty chances which offered them the chance get on the scoresheet and although the first three were missed the following two within minutes of each other were successful to bring the score back to 7 - 6 after 27 mins.

Barry hit back straight from the restart with the ball being carried by backs and forwards alike as they reached the 22 and recycled for the ball finding Luke O'Sullivan from a Scott dummy to cross for the try and conversion to extend the lead that their efforts deserved.

The visitors had to regroup as the Barry approach had completely put them out of their stride in the opening 30 mins.Rare attempts for the Rumney back line to test Barry gave an indication that they were dangerous and with Barry conceding regular penalties , the opportunity was bound to arise and it finally did when a poor clearance kick gave them the chance which they took to score an unconverted try in the corner.

This score brought Rumney to life as their confidence grew as half time neared. but resolute defence and the will to counter attack kept the score at 14 - 11 at the interval.

 Obvious stern words from the Coach saw the visitors launch a series of attacks in the opening minutes of the second half as they controlled the game but yet again were thwarted by Barry's resilience in defence.

Barry somehow regained possession and launched a trademark counter attack which saw White gain 50 yds and forced Rumney to concede a penalty and with Scott again successful Barry extended their lead to 6 points .

More was to come as Barry collected the restart and a fine break from Moyle saw him link with the supporting Luke O'Sullivan who raced over the try line for his second try of the afternoon which went unconverted but increased the lead to 11 points.

However Rumney were not finished and after getting back into the game with a penalty continued applying pressure as Barry were still being constantly penalised and forced on the back foot by some accurate tactical kicking.

Finding themselves just short of the Barry line Rumney  took a scrum which disrupted the Barry defence allowing the No 9 to sneek over for a converted try which left the teams with only a point between them.

Rumney continued with the tactical kicking which saw them camped in Barry territory.Unfortunately Barry failed 

to take their own lineout and paid the penalty as the loose ball bounced nicely into Rumney hands for a  try which although slightly unlucky gave the visitors a 6 point lead.

The remaining minutes saw Barry really show their character and commitment as they looked for the try which could win them the game.They looked to have done so as following two quick penalties they appeared to have driven over only to be recalled by the referee for a knock on. Barry kept up the pressure with three scrums on the 5 yd line but just could not get over the whitewash and it was the visitors who were more than grateful as the final whistle went.

As previously mentioned this was an outstanding performance by the squad against opponents from a higher level and if this sort of form can be maintained results will follow.

The Club still have a limited number of tickets available for the Autumn Internationals. Would any member interested contact Colin Ham on Barry 405726.

Last weeks Lottery numbers which again failed to find a winner were 02 - 05 - 07 and 16. This weeks prize fund

will be £2750