Barry stay in touch (From Barry And District News)

Barry stay in touch

12:27pm Friday 3rd November 2006

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BARRY 1ST XV 20 CEFN COED 3 THIS FIXTURE, on paper, always appeared to be the most difficult of the season so far, and when both regular scrum halves were unavailable for selection, it looked doubly so.

No worries though as coach Andrew Prosser stepped into the position with a performance reminiscent of earlier years.

Being able to influence his pack from close quarters saw them give a superb first half performance against aggressive opponents.

Playing into the wind and up the slope it was initially top rate defensive work by Barry forwards and backs, along with astute touchline kicking from outside-half Andy Griffiths that dominated in the opening quarter.

Then came the first of winger Owain Brown's brace of tries. A charging run from prop James Hollister saw the ball quickly spun through hands on the blind side and a final flip pass put him over in the corner.

Ten minutes later Chris Cummings converted his own try, being on the shoulder of fellow centre James Hadfield as he breached the Coed midfield defence.

Patience produces points, as they say, and this was never truer than in this case as the Barry forwards' retention of the ball at the tackle area in the build up to the final move was superb.

Just minutes later, through, similar forward play Cum-mings punished a deliberate infringement with a penalty.

A sole penalty response in the closing moments of the half saw them turn round at 15-3.

At the start of the second half, Cefn Coed came out even more aggressively, no doubt after a stern talking to by their numerous coaches.

Barry maintained their excellent defensive record of not conceding a try since the opening game of the season, to keep the concerted forward pressure at bay.

The front row of John Haskell, Brad Gee and Hollister eventually wore their opponents down. Captain Matthew Campbell led from the front and when brother John had to retire from the field he was replaced by Martin Tanner, making a welcome return to first team action.

A most welcome debut in Barry colours for prop John Stringer for the final quarter saw the visiting pack eventually wilt under sustained pressure.

This enabled Brown to grab his second try after a great pick-up and release from Hadfield put him clear for the corner. Cummings was unlucky as his conversion attempt hit the upright.

A further converted score would have been no more than deserved but it was not to be. This denied Barry second place in the league, which Penarth retained despite losing to leaders Bedlinog by virtue of a five-point difference.

A mighty encounter at Penarth then on Saturday, November 18, when Barry's defensive record will no doubt be tested to the full.

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