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Match report by Ken Watkins 

Ynysybwl 22 Barry 29

Two late tries from Einan Scott saw Barry clinch a hard-earned but deserved victory in what turned out to be a demanding 1 East Central match at Ynysybwl. Barry’s early dominance, as the pack pushed the home eight backwards at a rate of knots, saw the Bombers run up an early 9-0 lead, with three penalties from Kyle Barros in the first 14 minutes.
But, as head coach Liam Scott had warned his players at training on Thursday night, Ynysybwl battled back, taking the lead early in the second half, and testing Barry almost throughout. “Our message was that Ynysybwl will always stay in the game, and they’ll always be coming back,” said Scott. 
“Whatever happens in the game there’s going to be large chunks when we are not going to be in control, decisions are not going to go our way. We’ve got to be able to respond, which we did in abundance for the most part.” Overall, a strong performance from the forwards in the set pieces, and some good flowing moves from the backs, saw Barry always looking the more likely to emerge winners.
But there were moments when Barry threatened to undo all their good work. Ynysybwl occasionally swept through some ineffective tackling in the middle of the park, gaining ground, and taking the play into Barry’s red zone. Barry’s now customary determined goal-line defence generally succeeded, but the ease with which Ynysybwl cut through, making goal-line stands necessary, was a cause for concern.
Penalties in the fifth, ninth and 14th minute from Barros put Barry comfortably in front, Joe Griffiths replying for Ynysbwl in the 22nd minute with a try from a penalty lineout. A penalty from Joseph William closed the gap to 9-8 before Barros gave Barry a 12-8 interval lead with his fourth penalty.
The penalty count wasn’t so high in the second half, with Ynysybwl taking the lead in the 43rd minute through Dewi Voyle, following a break from the halfway line, William converting. William then went over following a penalty lineout in the 53rd minute, and added the extras to put the hosts 22-12 ahead.
Dave Provis ended a good across-the-park handling move in the 58th minute with a try in the corner, Barry finally regaining the lead they always threatened in the 78th minute when Einan Scott ended a spell of pressure on the Ynysybwl line, Barros converting. And with clock in the red, Barry forced a turnover, swiftly switching the ball through the backs for Einan Scott to go over unchallenged. 
As Liam Scott said after the match, his target was to get a result at Ynysybwl, and revenge for a heavy defeat the last time the clubs met. Mission accomplished. “We’ll pick the bones of the negatives on Tuesday, and enjoy the positives tonight.”
Barry are next in action on November 27 when Treorchy visit the Reservoir Field. 
* Dominic Busuttil captained Malta to a 15-13 home win over Israel in European Conference South 1 on Saturday.