Depleted Barry side miss out

10:47am Thursday 18th October 2007

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FERNDALE 15 BARRY 1ST XV 12 BARRY can either become the strongest team in the division by winning the games that they should and climbing the table - or alternatively, by failing to get a full travelling squad as happened last Saturday, they can continue to prop up the league.

Special credit to those who helped make up the team such as veteran second row Lyndon James, "youngsters" Rhys Jones at fullback and wings Craig Earles and Dwayne Ibbotson who all played their part in enabling Barry to fulfil the fixture and avoid being deducted 4 league points in the event of a cry-off.

Not only that, but their individual performances also helped the team be within 7 points of the visitors and thereby gain a bonus point.

A very late departure from the Barry clubhouse saw the team arrive with time for just 15 minutes warm-up thanks to a lenient referee whom delayed the kick-off.

Despite these events Barry actually started the better and took the lead when hard working flanker Bob Williams grabbed the opening try after ten minutes when driven over from close range by his fellow forwards. Dafydd Evans, thrown into the fly-half position from centre, converted.

This lead lasted only five minutes before Ferndale drew level with their own converted try, and this was the score at half time.

Not long into the second half an unconverted try out wide saw Ferndale take the lead but No 8 Jason Evans brought his side back on level terms with a try in the corner after good driving work by the Barry forwards from a close range lineout.

Barry's continuing disciplinary problems throughout the game proved decisive as a successful 40m kick gave the home side the lead with the final score of the game, despite constant Barry pressure in the closing stages.

Hopefully, last Saturday will be a one-off when so many players were unavailable for various reasons.

To help matters through, if a selected player suddenly becomes unavailable could he please notify immediately a fellow player, the captain, the club or Stuart Lock to help avoid similar situations arising again.

This Saturday, October 20, Barry entertain local rivals Llantwit Major at the Reservoir Field, ko 2.30pm.