11:35am Thursday 12th April 2007
ABERDARE 22 BARRY 23 AFTER some disappointing results in recent weeks, this performance was probably as fine and dramatic a victory as the early-season game at Penarth.
The first half of the game, on a glorious Easter Saturday, gave little indication of was to ensue in the second half.
Aberdare led 5-0 through an early try after ten minutes, from a driving 5m lineout, using the experienced and large forwards to good effect.
Barry showed their attacking intent during this half when in good field positions, through the initial tactical line kicking of outside half Liam Thomas.
With namesake and inside centre Liam Isaacs (son of youth team coach Steve Isaacs), they proved an excellent combination as they often released ball out to centre Owain Brown and wingers Josh Davies and Dave Williams.
These tactics paid dividends within the first five minutes of the second half as Barry's daring play stunned Aberdare with two of their four tries in this period.
It was Tom Lee (Sheffield University exile) at full back who opened the scoring with a scintillating individual touchline dash, to jink and outsprint the cover over half the length of the pitch.
Then in almost the next phase of play, as the ball was spun across field, flanker James Hadfield switched attack in the opposite direction just inside the Aberdare half. Using his elusive running skills and one great dummy, he outstripped the defence and crossed in the corner.
Aberdare proved why they had been in contention for promotion until recently, by responding within 10 minutes.
Using the size and power of their forwards again, they grabbed a converted try from a 5m scrum move.
As Barry continued their ploy of spinning the ball wide, it backfired in their own half of the field as a mistake gifted another converted try, creating a nine-point gap and 15 minutes remaining.
As the larger Aberdare forwards tired, through continuous cross-field covering, they were unable to prevent centre Liam Isaacs breaking through with a strong run and scoring out wide.
The more youthful and mobile Barry forwards, along with scrum half Gerraint Manning, relished the continuing expansive open style' of play.
Captain Mathew Campbell then benefited as he found himself on the end of such a move to carry two defenders over the try line and give his team a 20-19 lead.
According to the referee, eight minutes of playing time then remained.
Halfway through that period, Barry conceded a penalty, and a player the yellow card.
Aberdare regained the lead and, it seemed, the initiative, as Barry were reduce to 14 men.
From the restart kick flanker Hadfield was first to reach and challenge for the hanging ball, but was pulled down in mid-air and a penalty was awarded.
After all the excitement of the four unconverted tries it was ironic that the result would hinge on a penalty kick 30 metres out, and midway between touchline and posts.
Kicking foot strapped, outside half Thomas composed himself and coolly struck the ball to split the uprights and give Barry a deserved victory for their daring play.
The final league game of the season is Sat-urday, home to Taffs Well, ko 2.30pm.
*Sadly the Ball slated for the Memorial Hall April 27, has been cancelled.
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