Fixture

On a warm and sunny afternoon, Barry entertained Aberdare in a League fixture the result of which hinged on their ability to take advantage of handling errors and turn them into points.

Fielding another vastly changed team due unavailability and injury Barry were soon under pressure in early exchanges and it was Aberdare who looked the most likely to score, but the home defence was solid.

Struggling for any meaningful possession Barry were living of scraps and  any attack they mounted was not really putting them on the front foot.

Two successive penalties took Barry from defence to attack and into the visitors 22 for perhaps the first time.They took advantage by driving the lineout which followed finally giving John Miles the try as he crashed through the defence wide out, and with Kyle Barross kicking a fine conversion Barry held an unlikely 7 point lead.

Barry knocked on at the restart allowing Aberdare to attack again from which they earned a penalty opting for a lineout.Attempting to drive for the line, Barry managed to steal the ball and counter attack.The ball quickly found Dylan Robertson who raced up the touchline leaving defenders in his wake to cross for a superb try achieved through sheer pace and with Kyle Barross again making the conversion Barry had a 14 point lead from only two attacking opportunities.

Whilst Aberdare may have played most of the rugby they were unsettled in the backs where Barry's virtually perfect first up tackling was disrupting them.

The Barry scrum was under constant pressure but somehow survived as Aberdare got close to the line but stubborn defending saved the day and got them out of trouble as they took play back to half way.Another Aberdare error saw Barry get a penalty and again Kyle Barross added the points to provide a healthy 17 point advantage.

The visitors maintained the pressure on the Barry pack and were soon back in the home 22. The initial moves were  stopped, but finally a chink in the Barry defence saw them finally get on the scoreboard with a converted try ,no more than their first half efforts deserved.This score saw the end of entertaining half which left the score 17 - 7 which to some extent flattered Barry.

The early minutes of the second half saw Aberdare continue to attacks with their forwards providing plenty of ball but still handling errors were proving costly as attacks broke down.

As happened in the first half Barry held firm and countered to put themselves in the visitors 22.Again a driving lineout paved the way for the next score as the drive was well controlled giving Dave Provis the try with Kyle Barross on target again the score moves to 24 - 7.

Aberdare again came straight back from the restart but again were put back on their heels as Barry countered from a loose ball which saw the move end with a penalty which Kyle Barross calmly kicked giving them a 20 point lead.

Many a side would have thrown in the towel at this stage but that was not in the minds of the Aberdare side as they again came back at Barry from the restart.Despite Barry defending well, it was no more than the visitors deserved when they broke the Barry defence to cross for a converted try.

The spring was back in the Aberdare step as they continued to launch attacks from all parts of the field. One golden opportunity saw a three man overlap wasted with a poor pass.

This tactic also meant the game becoming loose which perhaps suited Barry. and they took advantage of this as Kyle Barross 

found space on the outside to race in for another try which he converted himself for a 34 - 14 lead.

Still Aberdare weren't finished as they came back at Barry and after getting themselves into the 22 scored a converted try following a lineout and the lead was reduced to 13 points.

As the clock ticked down Barry took no chances and took the option to kick at goal from a penalty award which again Kyle 

Barross fired over, the kick bringing the final whistle and the end of what had been a highly entertaining game. Certainly the scoreline could been far different had Aberdare not wasted so many chances, but certainly the high successful tackle count of Barry must not be forgotten.

One of these days we will have a full squad to choose from.At that stage the coaching team will have selection problems as  none of the players brought in have let themselves or the team down and have put themselves in the frame for the future.

Barry now have 2 weeks off before their next game which is at home against Llantwit Fardre on Saturday 10th November.

Last weeks Lottery numbers of 06 - 12 - 18 and 22  again failed to find a wiiner with two players matching  three numbers to each win £10