Abercynon 3 v Barry 19

A FINE all round performance saw Barry RFC take the spoils in a hard fought encounter at Abercynon on Saturday, November 12 by 19 points to three.

Barry cleverly varied their tactics throughout the game forcing the home team onto the backfoot and having to attack from deep.

The opening 20 minutes were evenly balanced as both sides were willing to attack but being met by two well organised defences struggled to create try scoring opportunities.

As the second quarter began, Barry, with solid ball from the setpiece giving the three quarters time and space, began to get on top and from a driven line out opened the scoring as Abercynon conceded a penalty try to give them a seven point lead.

Abercynon threatened on occasion and kept Barry on their guard and some white line fever may well had made more of the limited opportunities they created. Neither side could add to the score as the first half came to a close.

Abercynon opened the second half trying to achieve some territorial advantage but soon changed after being continuously driven back by some superb line kicking from Barross.

A penalty into the Barry 22 saw Abercynon attack from the lineout, a move which Barry appeared to have stopped but the referee had seen an infringement and gave the home side the easiest of penalties to open their account.

Barry launched an attack from a loose ball and made progress down the line where Ryan was impeded. The resultant penalty leading to a line out close to the line.

The first drive was halted but they were not to be denied and the recycled ball found Taylor to crash over the line. With the conversion missed Barry led 12 - 3.

The home team were becoming frustrated with the grip that Barry held on the game at this stage by varying their tactics and playing in the right areas.

An odd break out were the only chances that the Barry defence allowed Abercynon as they began to dominate play but were finding it difficult to break the stubborn home defence.

They finally managed this following another huge Barross clearance they earned a line out in the home sides 22. With the ball cleanly taken, as it had been all afternoon, the pack drove to split the defence allowing Evans to cross for the third try, converted by Barross to put Barry ahead at 19 - 3 with not long to go.

The final minutes were played out with Barry happily sitting on their lead and continuing to frustrate the home team as they settled for a good win, but one which more importantly they had achieved by playing sensible rugby with good tactical awareness, sometimes not the case.

It was good to see captain James Hadfield and prop Tom Hunt return from injury and have some game time.

The win sees Barry move up one place in the table to fifth.The next game is on November 26 when they entertain Old Illtydians with the kick off again at 1.30pm due to the Wales v South Africa game at 5.30pm.

Following the international the club Christmas Draw will take place. Will those still holding tickets please return monies and counterfoils as soon as possible by leaving them at the bar with Carol.

This week's lottery numbers were 9, 11, 14 and 18 and again failed to find a winner although two were very close, the jackpot this week will be £2,980.