Glory in last minute victory (From Barry And District News)

Glory in last minute victory

BARRY 1st XV 15 PTS

PENYGRAIG 12 PTS

THE GENERAL consensus among Barry RFC supporters is that the club web site should now be extended to include last minute victory club.co.uk after another nail-biting ending in their last Division 3 South East league encounter.

For all of last season and for the first two months of this, opponents Penygraig were the banker for league points with their 1st XV squad having been banned for 15 months by the WRU for a much publicised disciplinary problem.

The beginning of November saw the ban completed and in their first competitive fixture they beat fellows strugglers Pentyrch by one point. As anticipated by many this former Division One side were no longer going to be mere pushovers.

After the rain of October and a two-week break from action, Barry took to the field in bright sunshine and on an unusually windless day, gave their opponents first advantage of the slope at kick-off.

The opening quarter of an hour mark saw full back Chris Cummings draw Barry level with a penalty kick after the Penygraig outside half had earlier been similarly unsuccessful.

The Barry forwards matched their bulky counterparts but primarily when in midfield, and upfield they struggled to gain positional advantage.

On numerous occasions poor discipline, in particular back chat to the referee on some decisions awarded, proved costly both positional and points wise.

The Penygraig fullback was successful with two further penalty kicks but fortunately in open play he struggled to judge the infamous slope.

Birthday boy Lyndon James used his vast experience and continuing enthusiasm to produce a vintage performance in the lineout and tackle area.

Hywel Jones' charging runs were brought to an end just before half time with a leg injury. Hooker Brad Gee dropped into the back row for sub Richard Thomas to fall into the front row temporarily until Martin Tanner's arrival for the second half.

HT: Barry 3pts, Penygraig 9pts

The opening period of the second half saw Cummings unlucky with a couple of penalty attempts, one hitting the upright.

After a general first half warning from the referee about hands and killing the ball, Captain Andy Griffiths was the unfortunate player to be yellow carded.

To compound matters the penalty kick success extended the gap to nine points.

Barry pressed hard and with only minutes remaining a close range tap penalty resulted in prop James Hollister driving towards defenders, and Jason Evans picked up the final ball for an unconverted try wide out.

With the very last opportunity deep into stoppage time another tap penalty was taken on by Hollister, and Griffiths powered over close to the posts with defenders hanging off him. Cummings converted with the last kick of the game.

This Saturday league opponents are North Walians Ruthin, home at the Reservoir Fields, ko 2.30pm.