Revenge is sweet as Barry win on the road (From Barry And District News)

Revenge is sweet as Barry win on the road

LAST YEAR'S Youth team player of the Year, James Hadfield, was the Barry 1st XV star in this game as the team overcame Treherbert, to notch an away victory by a margin of 8 pts.

A trip to Treherbert, after a heavy defeat two years ago to the eventual league winners, would not have been chosen as an ideal league opener.

This especially for a Barry side whose only warm-up game had resulted in a rather lack-lustre draw against near neighbours Dinas Powys in a friendly three weeks earlier.

With a couple of key players unavailable, due to holidays or retirement, the coaching duo of Andrew Prosser and Darren Gibbon turned towards the'youth' of the club at selection time.

Immediately from chasing the kicked-off ball, it was James Hadfield who set up the opportunity for centre Chris Cummings' first penalty kick success. This was to be only the start of his significant contribution during his restricted 30 minutes on the field.

With Barry having to absorb nearly 20 minutes of massive Treherbert pressure, due to their domination of possession, Hadfield took a relieving quick tap-penalty in his own quarter of the field.

Brushing aside bemused opponents, he suddenly found himself in their half with no support. So with devastating speed, changes of pace and astute running angles, he then thwarted the attempts of defending backs for a superb individual corner try - an early try of the season contender, perhaps?

After ten minutes of renewed Treherbert pressure on the Barry try line, the home supporters were again silenced when blindside flanker Hywel Jones burst through a line-out on halfway with a stolen ball, and after a 30-metre dash heading off tacklers found Hadfield on his shoulder in support when needed, to finish off the move over a similar distance which saw Cummings convert.

Injury unfortunately forced his early retirement, but his raiding forays were to prove decisive.

Versatile Lewis Williams went into the back row with hooker replacement Brad Gee joining props Stuart Hunt and the returning Glen Morgan in the front row.

Barry held out up to half-time, with excellent defensive work from both forwards and backs, to lead 15-0 at the turnaround.

Not long into the restart, Cummings landed a second penalty kick to cancel out an earlier Treherbert success. With the Barry pack able to secure more possession, it was a setback when they conceded an unconverted try.

After 20 minutes, a blindside high kick from the base of a scrum by James Madden saw winger Owain Brown appear from nowhere, latch on to the ball and with his pace round the full back for the vital try of the half, successfully converted from out wide by Cummings.

Minutes later, the on-form kicker stuck the knife in with a monster 50-metre penalty kick which inched over the crossbar, resulting in an unbelievable 28-8 scoreline, with a quarter of an hour to go.

Despite two consolation tries in the closing minutes, with the Barry players dead on their feet due to heroic defensive efforts, they were not enough for the home side.

All players contributed significantly to this unexpected victory. Special mention though to another youth product John'Ginge' Camp-bell for a great performance (to keep his brother Matt on his toes).

Home 1st XV fixture at the Reservoir Field this Saturday, September 17, kick off 2.30pm against Gilfach Goch, which in this strong league will no doubt be another titanic encounter.