BARRY RFC scraped a narrow 9-7 victory over relegation-threatened Llantwit Fadre RFC at the Reservoir Field on Saturday, in a game low on quality and entertainment value.

After a nail biting finish against Llanishen RFC last week, a more comfortable affair could have been expected for Barry against bottom of the table Llantwit Fadre RFC.

But it was not to be for the home side, who were forced to work hard for their win in a game blighted by instances of illegal play.

Barry attacked from the off and put early pressure on the visitors, earning a penalty 10 minutes in when flanker Luke O’Sullivan broke away from a line-out only to be stopped by an illegal shoulder charge. The resulting penalty kick by Kyle Baross was successful and Barry moved into an early three-point lead.

The hosts knocked on from the re-start however, and from the resulting scrum Llantwit Fardre set up an attacking move which had to be scrambled into touch just metres from the line. A take and drive from the line-out was again stopped just short of the line and, from the resulting scrum, the ball was fed to the Llantwit Fardre winger who crashed over the line for the opening try. A successful conversion gave the visitors a 7-3 advantage with 15 minutes on the clock.

As both sides pushed on looking to add to the score, Barry's players became increasingly incensed by what they perceived as brazen incidences of foul play by the opposition going unpunished. One such incident saw front row forward Ben Such having to leave the field after a shoulder charge.

Both sides were reduced to 14 men as half-time approached, after another illegal challenge saw a Barry player retaliate and players from both sides sent to the sin bin.

A forward run from O'Sullivan almost saw Barry enter the break in front, only for the ball to be held up in the visitors 22 as Llantwit Fadre survived to half-time.

The game soon developed into a comedy of errors early in the second period, with sloppy errors from either side seeing no real advantage being gained.

But around the hour mark, an infringement by a Llantwit Fardre player inside his own 22 led to a penalty being awarded to Barry. Kyle Baross duly converted, bringing Barry to within a point of the opposition.

As in the first half, both sides continued to attack were denied by resolute defending at both ends. With the light failing and time ticking away, Barry's chances of victory appeared to be slipping away.

With just minutes remaining, Barry were gifted a penalty for offside which the ever-reliable Baross was able to tuck between the posts to give the home side the advantage. Able to see out time in possession for the final moments, Barry hung on to claim a hard-fought win.

Barry's next league fixture sees them take on Penarth RFC in Penarth on Saturday, December 30. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

The lottery jackpot increases after Saturday failed to see a winner yet again. The numbers for this week were 4, 16, 17 and 22. Next week's jackpot moves to £7,850.

The club would like to wish everybody associated with the team a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Team: Alyn Evans, Ben Such, Jacob Brooke, Jamie Oaten, Rob Williams, Jake Goodfellow, James Hadfield, Luke O'Sullivan, Kyle Barros, Richie O’Sullivan, Tomos Perry, Dave Provis, Matt O’Sullivan, Brad White and Tiernan Scott

Replacements: Glyn Jones, Lucas Davies, Dominic Busuttil and Curtis Miller