One flash of brilliance, followed by stalemate (From Barry And District News)

One flash of brilliance, followed by stalemate

ABERCWMBOI 3

BARRY 1ST XV 8

ON A DAY when very little valleys rugby was being played due to the weather, it was quite a surprise to the players when Saturday morning confirmation came that the trip to Abercwmboi was on.

This was to be the classic 6-pointer basement battle, and it turned out to be quite a nail biting affair, just like last season's fixture.

Barry could not have wished for a better start to this crucial game. Receiving the kick-off ball deep in his own half, stand-in second row Lewis Williams astutely set a running movement in motion with a pass to flanker Hywel Jones in space.

Driving forward he off-loaded the ball in the tackle, to fellow flanker Owain Brown, who in turn fed James Hadfield.

Despite being in the unaccustomed centre threequarter position, he committed the final defender to put Dave Provis away down the top touchline for his pace to take him 30m for a try out wide.

The stop-watch indicated a start-finish time of 21 seconds. Forwards and backs inter-passing, as opposed to just a head-down approach, created the decisive score.

Anticipating a feast of running rugby to follow, supporters had to be content with a penalty success to each side during the half, Barry's from Chris Cummings, along with a couple of missed attempts from each team during the second half.

Other than a couple of scintillating runs from centre Hadfield, the game was more a tactical battle for field position than a spectacle.

The heavy underfoot conditions sapped energy and a general stalemate ensued but always there was concern for Barry that an Aber breakaway could snatch victory from them. Flanker Owain Brown, deemed by most supporters as "man of the match", was always covering the field to snuff out any likelihood of that happening, and put in a tireless performance.

A win, as opposed to the style of victory was always going to be the most important aspect of this encounter.

That crucial try showed that if good ball can be spun out wide when the opportunities arise, then the reward can be achieved.

This can hopefully be obtained in another vital match this Saturday, April 8, against Tylorstown at home, at the Reservoir Field, ko 2.30pm.