Fixture

 

 

Local derbies always have that extra edge and last Saturday was no different as Barry travelled the short distance to Dinas Powys for their latest League fixture.

The game finished 20-15 in Barry's favour, but the result was in doubt right up to the final minutes and it required perhaps their best performance of the season so far to get them over the line.

Playing with the slope and wind advantage Dinas set their stall out early taking every opportunity to get their backs into the game but were met by a solid defence which allowed Barry to counter attack where a series of penalties took them deep into Dinas territory, the last of which was taken quickly when perhaps a shot at the posts might have resulted in the lead.

With some 20 minutes gone Barry's tactics were working well and the home side had not reached the visitors 22, but despite this the score was still level.

However that was soon to change as from a penalty Dinas kicked to the corner, drove the line out to cross for a try which with the conversion put the home side in front 7-0 after 25 minutes. This gave the home side confidence and for the next few minutes it was Barry's turn to withstand the pressure which they did, helped by Dinas spawning two golden chances to add to their score.  As half time neared a further penalty saw Dinas extend the lead to 10 points.

Early in the second half the game was reduced to passive scrums as Barry were unable to field replacements through injury and unavailability. This changed the game and maybe worked in their favour.

Now with the elements in their favour Barry began to move the ball and one thrilling movement from the backs was to lead to their opening score when Dinas halted the move just short of the line only for the forwards to relaunch the attack for Alyn Evans to crash over for the try which Einan Scott converted to reduce the deficit to 3 points.

Barry failed to collect the kick off and were immediately under pressure.  However Dinas lost the ball in the 22 and paid a price as the loose ball was swept out to Brad White who evaded all tackles to score a superb try from some 70 metres out, and with Scott again successful with the conversion Barry had turned the game round and taken a 4 point lead.

As expected Dinas began to throw everything, literally, at Barry whose defence was outstanding at this time but overeagerness saw them conceding penalties allowing the visitors to clear their lines and in fact extend the lead as Scott landed a 45 metre penalty after 60 minutes to extend their lead This was added to minutes later when the same player knocked a further penalty over from 40 metres to give Barry the lead at 20-10 with still a quarter of an hour to go.

Barry were required to keep their concentration and organisation as Dinas launched a series of attacks in their efforts to reduce the deficit and except for a panicky minute or two seemed to cope.  Dinas maintained the pressure and as Barry were unable to stop a lineout drive following a penalty award they were rewarded with a try wide out which they were unable to convert to leave 5 points between the teams as the game entered it's last 10 minutes.

Errors crept into the Barry game as they fought to stem the continuous tide of home attacks and after going down to 14 men Dinas appeared to have scored a try only for the referee to award Barry a penalty for an earlier infringement. This was not the last time that the supporters hearts were in their mouths as a fine last ditch tackle by Dave Provis saved the day and earned Barry a relieving penalty one moment and a huge turnover in front of the Barry posts saw possession regained and the ball cleared deep into Dinas territory.

The time was up and Barry camped in the home 22 saw the final seconds out to record an unexpected win, bearing in mind the selection problems, but at the same time a thoroughly deserved victory one which can be built on as the season progresses.

 A huge squad effort got it's just rewards and more of that next Saturday as we entertain Treherbert in the Swalec Plate Competition kick off 1.30pm as the Wales v South Africa game begins at 4pm. Why not watch it on the large screen in the Clubhouse.

 

Team:  T Scott; A Adams, T Perry, D Provis, B White; E Scott, T Lee; G Hall, A Evans, L Ring; C Llewellyn, G Jones; J Hadfield (c), O Poole, H Jones

Subs:  J Oaten (for Hall), S Vidal (for Ring), R Frenay (for Llewellyn), K Barros (for T Scott)

Sub not used:  D Ryan

Man of the match:  J Hadfield