Finishing up in style (From Barry And District News)

Finishing up in style

THE last week of the season ended on a high note for Barry Rugby Club with Tuesday's defeat of Fairwater in the final of the SA Brain East District Cup, and Saturday's win at Pontycymmer in their last league fixture.

Barry 24 Fairwater 15

Barry opened the match by taking the game to Fairwater and were soon rewarded with an early penalty goal kicked by centre Chris Cummings.

Fairwater, after weathering a series of attacks, took full advantage of some sloppy play by the Barry defence to score an unconverted try.

The Cardiff side continued to cause the Barry defence problems and went further ahead after a clever move from the front of a lineout gave their scrum half a clear run to the line for another five points.

Thankfully, the accurate boot of Cummings kept Barry in contention when he took full advantage of Fairwater's indiscipline to kick two further penalty goals.

As the game entered the last ten minutes of the half Fairwater increased their lead after a break on the blind side of the scrum split the Barry defence for another unconverted try.

The Barry pack responded to the clever line kicking of outside half Andy Griffiths and by using a series of driving mauls was able to take play deep into Fairwater's 22, from where flanker James Hadfield crossed for a try to take the half time score to 14-15.

Cummings kicked his fourth penalty goal to give his side the lead, and although Barry camped in their opponents' half, they found it difficult to increase their lead until skipper Griffiths chipped over the defence and regathered to score under the posts. Cummings converted to give his side a nine-point lead.

Despite a late rally by the Cardiff side, Barry hung on to this lead for a hard earned but thoroughly deserved victory.

This was a sterling effort by the Barry players to defeat a side that had lost only four games throughout the season to gain promotion from Division 4 South East.

The pack deserves a special mention for not relenting, or reacting, despite the abrasiveness of the Fairwater eight, whilst the control of captain and outside half Andrew Griffiths and the accuracy of Chris Cummings' boot made sure of victory.

PONTYCYMMER 22

BARRY 30

On a pleasantly dry but breezy afternoon Barry made a quiet start and with the game being played between the 22s, it was not until the 12th minute that Pontycymmer shocked the Barry side with an unconverted pushover try.

Barry responded with an Andy Griffiths penalty before the home side bamboozled the Barry defence with a clever overhead pass for a converted try.

This was soon followed by another converted try to make it 19-3, but Barry at last woke up and put more urgency into their game to hit back with a fine try by hooker Lewis Williams for a half time score of 19-8.

In the second half Barry slowly gained the initiative and scrum half Gerwyn Pugh put winger Dominic Busittil on his way for a 60 metre run to score under the posts. Griffiths converted.

The Valley side continued to run the ball at every opportunity and increased their lead with a penalty.

With play moving into the last quarter it seemed to the Barry supporters that their team's season would end in defeat by a side already consigned to Fourth Division rugby next season.

Scrum half Pugh helped allay these fears by swooping on a loose ball and burst clear for a try which Griffiths converted to level at 22-22.

Barry's increasing confidence was rewarded by a Tim Richards penalty that put his side three points clear. And as the game moved to a close the result was made safe when prop Stuart Hunt's nifty footwork sent Pugh on a 40 metre sprint for a corner try and final victory by 30-22.

This victory was Barry's 14th win of the season and ensured fifth position in the division.

TOP 8 IN DIVISION 3 SOUTH EAST

P W D L Pts

Rhydyfelin 26 26 0 0 78

Mountain Ash 26 22 0 4 66

Ruthin 26 19 0 7 57

Tonyrefail 26 17 0 9 51

Barry 26 14 0 12 42

Brecon 26 13 1 12 40

Ynysybwl 26 14 0 12 39*

Nelson 26 12 0 14 36

*Ynysybwl deducted 3 points for failing to fulfil a fixture on the given date.