Twelve months in Barry: Sports review of the year part one

Barry Town United came close to a first major trophy in 14 years as they took on high-flying TNS in the Nathaniel MG Cup final, losing out to four late goals from the Welsh Premier League champions as the game ended 4-0.

There was better news for Town in the league however, as they kept their unbeaten run going in a 1-1 draw against fellow title challengers Penybont, before beating Afan Lido 2-1 at the Marston Stadium.

Barry Island parkrun’s New Year’s Day run saw a record attendance for the 5km event with 303 runners taking part, while boxer Lee Selby’s IBF world featherweight title defence against Jonathan Victor Barros was cancelled after the Argentinian withdrew due to injury.

Barry RFC suffered a tough start to the year, losing all four of their January fixtures.

Barry Town United were beaten by TNS in January. Picture: Same Old Smith Photography

FEBRUARY

The younger of Barry’s boxing brothers, Andrew Selby, claimed the WBC international flyweight belt in a comprehensive points victory over Filipino Ardin Diale, drawing praise from unbeaten boxing superstar Andre Ward for his performance.

Barry Town Ladies claimed a crushing 7-0 win over Pontypridd Town to record their sixth straight win, with captain Tracey White scoring her first hat-trick for the club.

The men’s side meanwhile headed top of the Welsh League Division One thanks to their 3-1 win over Caldicot Town, before following up with a 3-0 win away to Risca. Their title hopes were dented however by a 2-1 loss against high-flying Goytre.

Sully View RFC’s game against Hirwaun had to be abandoned after flanker Peter Brown was hospitalised with a broken ankle, but a 54-0 win over Cardiff International Athletic Club the following week saw a return to fortune.

Barry RFC picked up their first win of 2017 at the fifth attempt, beating Pontyclun 23-7.

Barry RFC took a while to get off the mark in 2017, but ended the season strongly

MARCH

Lee Selby continued his dominance at London’s O2 arena, as he grabbed a fifth win in five at the venue with his knockout victory against Andoni Gago.

Selby had been out of the ring for nearly a year, but showed no signs of complacency with a ninth round stoppage over the Spaniard.

Barry RFC beat Clwb Rygbi 25-21 to record back-to-back wins, and in football, Barry Town United’s victories against Port Talbot, Cambrian and Clydach, Haverfordwest County and Taff’s Well saw them extend their lead at the top of the table.

Wenvoe Petanque Club were crowned Welsh club champions, while Barry Island parkrun celebrated their 100th event with a new course record – Oliver Williams getting around the course in a time of 15:58. Barry gymnast Josh Cook claimed a floor bronze medal in the British Championships.

Lee Selby claimed another win in the ring in March

APRIL

There was another big win for Barry Town United ladies who beat Penybont 6-0 in their final game of the season, finishing two points behind champions Caldicot in second place.

Barry RFC’s upturn in form continued as they moved fourth thanks to a 29-20 win over Llanishen, following it up with another victory over Penarth to go six games unbeaten.

Barry Town United’s run towards a seemingly inevitable title triumph moved a step further after their 11-0 thrashing of Risca United, before sealing promotion with a 3-0 win over third placed Goytre United.

Goals from Luke Cooper, Tyrell Webbe and Drew Fahiya sealed the win to send Barry back into the top flight for the first time in 13 years, before the title was confirmed a week later as Barry beat Cambrian and Clydach Vale in a 1-0 win.

Stealing their thunder however were the U16 Barry Town United girls side, who were also crowned league winners after going their entire 17-game season unbeaten.

Vale United were confirmed winners of the Vale of Glamorgan Football League Premier Division, while Barry Athletic became champions of the Division One Cup after beating SP Billy 3-1 in the final.

Barry Town United U16 girls went unbeaten throughout their season

MAY

Barry Town United ended the season with a 6-0 win over Ton Pentre in a game attended by more than 1,000 people.

The U16 girls turned their title win into a treble-winning season thanks to victories in both the South Wales FA Cup and League Cup finals, while the U14 boys were also crowned South Wales FA Cup winners.

Cadoxton Barry recorded their highest ever league position on the FAW pyramid despite losing their final game to FC Cwmamman, while Vale United added the ASRS Cup to their league title success. 

In rugby, Barry RFC’s season came to a close with victory over Gilfach Goch to finish in third place.

TV weather presenters Sue Charles and Derek Brockway joined in the fun at the Barry Island parkrun, and Barry Kyokushin karate instructor Rhian Evans became the first Welsh female to take part in the IFT World Tournament, narrowly missing out on a finals place by just half a point.
The Memo Arts Centre played host to the BDO World Darts Trophy, which was won by Australian qualifier Peter Machin.

Sue Charles and Derek Brockway at the Barry Island parkrun

JUNE

Andrew Selby edged nearer to a world title fight after his unanimous points victory over Nicaragua’s Cristofer Rosales at the Motorpoint Arena. Selby admitted after the bout that, in reality, he didn’t really enjoy boxing, but said nonetheless he would be eyeing up a title fight with Japaneses WBC flyweight champion Daigo Higa.

Billy United were crowned champions of the Vale of Glamorgan Pool League, while as the summer sports got under way there was a tough start to the season for Barry Athletic CC, who lost three games in a row throughout June. Promotion chasing Sully Centurions also suffered a blip throughout June, but victory over Monskwood kept them in second place behind Crumlin CC.

Barry Town United were active in the transfer market as they prepared for their return to the top flight of Welsh football, bringing in Aberystwyth Town’s Elliot Scotcher, Sam Jones, and ex-Southampton and Barry Town forward Kayne McLaggon to add to the squad.

And on the hottest day of the year so far, 151 runners still made it down to Barry Island to take part in the parkrun, with 10 runners battling the heat to record their personal best times around the course.

Andrew Selby beat Cristofer Rosales to line himself up for a world title fight