Barry come up trumps after couple of slip-ups (From Barry And District News)

Barry come up trumps after couple of slip-ups

AFTER the confidence-boosting away victory at Treherbert, it was important that Barry 1st XV follow up with a similar performance in front of their own supporters.

Dave Provis in the centre and Brad Gee, starting at hooker, were the only two team changes, as Barry had first advantage of the Reservoir Field slope against a physically larger Gilfach set of forwards.

Within 10 minutes of kick-off, though, two home team forwards were cooling off as a rather strict referee signalled his intent to keep order by issuing yellow cards for "inappropriate backchat" to the opponents.

An early important advantage was gained by Barry preventing Gilfach scoring when the home outfit was below full strength.

Then almost immediately, when back up to 14 men, Chris Cummings guided over a successful penalty kick.

When they returned to a full complement after 20 minutes, the first of Barry's three tries arrived. A planned midfield break by flanker James Hadfield from a lineout set up a number of devastating driving rucks from his forwards for the try line to come within reach.

After his Man of the Match performance against Tre-herbert, it was fitting that lock John Campbell should get his first try at senior level, using his height and agility to stretch over the line.

Although failing with the difficult conversion attempt, Cummings soon increased the lead with a superbly struck 30m penalty, as the Barry pack dominated to enable captain and outside-half Andy Griffiths to play field position tactics to perfection.

This pressure eventually led to scrum half James Maddon's great solo effort score just before half -time.

Latching on to a loose ball and with great side-stepping skills, he jinked around three defenders from 15 metres out, scoring between the uprights to give Cummings a simple conversion, and Barry an 18-point advantage at the break.

Half-time 18pts, Gilfach Goch 0.

For whatever reason, be it the infamous slope, lack of concentration or effort, within 15 minutes of the restart Barry found their lead reduced to just 4 points, as Gilfach grabbed two converted tries to put themselves back in the hunt.

The first came from a defensive lapse and resulting midfield mix-up, and the second from an offside quick tap penalty five metres from the line, and exploited by one of the huge back-rowers.

The sign of a good side is how it responds to adversity and just as in the opening 10 minutes of the match, the Barry team came up trumps.

On their next move into the Gilfach 22 metres area, and with the referee playing a penalty advantage, most of the home supporters thought centre Cummings was attempting to gain the 3 points with a drop goal attempt.

Instead, the disguised, astute effort, well wide of the posts upfield, saw flanker James Hadfield utilise his tremendous pace to catch the bewildered defenders cold and beat them to the touch-down.

Cummings converted.

Stalemate ensued to see Barry comfortably gain their second home league victory and remain unbeaten in Division 3 South East.

This Saturday, September 24, Barry are home to Division 4 North Wales side Colwyn Bay in the Welsh Cup, kick-off 2.30pm.