12:14pm Thursday 25th January 2007
BARRY 34 CARDIFF HSOB 10 DESPITE last week's atrocious weather, Barry's main pitch - with the aid of a drying wind - was judged good enough to allow Barry to play Saturday's match against Cardiff High School Old Boys.
This was a match that the local side needed to win to maintain their top five position in the division and also to achieve their first double of the season after September's victory at the Diamond Ground in Cardiff.
With Barry playing into a strong and chill wind, the first quarter saw both sides struggling to come to terms with the weather and the heavy ground conditions.
The home side opened the scoring when hooker Lewis Williams took full advantage of a five metre 'tap' penalty to force himself over for an unconverted try.
Following the restart Barry scored their second try when winger Marvin Cordle, taking full advantage of an excellent break by skipper and lock Matthew Campbell, raced 40 metres along the touchline for a well-deserved try.
Barry's desire to move the ball at all times then came unstuck when the Old Boys were able to score a converted try from an interception. A penalty goal prior to the interval saw the teams level at 10 points each.
During the second half, now aided by the following wind and the slope, Barry confined their visitors in their own half until - after a long period of pressure - outside half Chris Cummings was able to take advantage of preparatory work by forwards Jason Evans and Ashley Brown to jink and dummy his way over for a try beneath the posts.
Cummings converted to put his side seven points clear.
Barry soon increased their lead following a rolling maul which drove prop Ashley Brown over for an unconverted try.
As the game entered the last 15 minutes and with Barry now in complete control, centre Owain Brown charged through a disorganised Old Boy's defence to cross beneath the posts for Cummings to add the conversion.
The final score was made and finished by fullback, James Hadfield who, after collecting the ball in his own half, sped along the touchline to clear the cover defence and drive over the corner for an unconverted try.
A victory for his side by 34 points to 10.
* Next Saturday Barry travel to Abercwmboi with the coach leaving the club at 12.30pm.
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