Caught on the hop (From Barry And District News)

Caught on the hop

ABERDARE 28

BARRY 16

INJURIES have been the main issue of the season so far, so it was with great relief that prop Stuart Hunt could be named on the team sheet for the first time in three months, having overcome his injury woes, and he stepped in for the unavailable John Haskell.

Injury also saw the need for youth team player Martin Cordle to make his full First team debut on the left wing.

With brother Matthew still out injured, it was a double blow when second row John Campbell was also unavailable through illness.

The ever-reliable Tom Griffiths again stepped in for another away fixture and, as usual, gave total effort and commitment, as indeed did the rest of his team mates.

After a delay in finding a small changing room at the Aberdare Park Community Sports Hall, Barry were left with less than half an hour for a basic warm-up.

They were then caught cold in the opening five minutes of the game when, from a quick lineout throw on half way, Aberdare broke down the line to score a converted try.

A great response saw Barry hit back within just a few minutes with a try. From a scrum just outside the Aberdare 22 metre area, No 8 Jason Evans picked up from the base and, driving forward, put away scrum half John Dimond on the blind side for the score.

An Aberdare penalty kick on the 20 minute mark, brought a response moments later, with a superbly struck 40-metre penalty by centre Chris Cummings.

A further home side penalty created a five-point gap again, but scores were then all square on the half hour point.

After some great driving play by the Barry forwards, a final effort from experienced lock Martin Tanner saw his physique help get the ball over the try line.

As half-time approached, Aberdare managed a try out wide, and then with the final kick of the period Chris Cummings slotted over a penalty. Half time: Aberdare 18, Barry 16.

During the second half, Aberdare gained a converted try from a quick free kick in the Barry 22 metre area for a lineout throw-in that was critically judged as the ball not going five metres. A further penalty created the crucial two-score lead.

Unfortunately, Barry were unable to gain any further score despite some close efforts.

With no home internationals this weekend, there is league action on Saturday at the Reservoir Field, with a challenging encounter against high-flyers Ynysybwl, ko 2.30pm.