Early red card proves decisive for Barry

8:47am Thursday 25th October 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

BARRY 1ST XV 16 LLANTWIT MAJOR 27 IT MIGHT seem hard to believe that there was one glaring similarity between the Rugby World Cup final and this Vale derby last Saturday. Well, it was that a match official's crucial decision had a decisive bearing on the outcome.

At the Reservoir Field it was not about a debated try decision as was the case with England. It was an anticipated yellow card for a Barry forward's mistimed high tackle after 20 minutes of clean play, inexplicably appearing as red from the referee, to much amazement from the crowd.

Up to that point it had been an even contest, Llantwit just edging matters 10-6 through a converted try and penalty to Barry's two penalties from Dafydd Evans.

Llantwit then grabbed a converted try from a fortunate 25, charge down. Barry soon responded with a try in the corner by hooker Lewis Williams after excellent driving work by his fellow forwards but the conversion attempt was bizarrely ruled out of time by the official. The 17-11 scoreline remained until half time.

For the second period coach Andrew Prosser had to take up the emergency role of hooker with none of the selected substitutes available.

Williams moved to prop in place of John Haskell, who after his gruelling midweek encounter for Great Britain Fire Services in the front row against the formidable Combined Services, did well to turn up never mind last half a game.

At scrum half for the first time in a long while, Peter O'Sullivan performed well and battled through to the end carrying a heavily strapped ankle.

Prop James Hollister gave probably his best performance of the season with one notable 40 mph midfield charge.

Despite the heroic efforts of the Barry 14, for three quarters of the match, being one man down in the scrum finally took its toll.

From a scrum close to the Barry try line, Llantwit were able to steal against the head as they drove forward, leaving the No 8 with a straight forward opportunity to score in the closing minutes of the game.

Team: Danny Ryan, Rob Cummings, Kyle Fahiya, Dave Provis, Dave McCann, Dafydd Evans, Peter O'Sullivan; forwards John Haskell, Lewis Williams, James Hollister, Martin Tanner (Capt), John and Matthew Campbell, Jason Evans, Owain Brown. Replacements Andrew prosser, Joe McCann.

The next 1st XV fixture will be on Saturday, November 3, away at Cefn Coed.

This Saturday's game at the Reservoir Field, kick off 2.30pm, involve Barry Youth v Rhiwbina, and the 2nd XV v Llanishen. Players available/ unavailable for the 2nds are asked to contact the clubhouse, or Stuart Lock.

/blob/ The club has tickets available for the Wales v South Africa match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, November 24. So for a chance to see the new World Champions in action, contact Dai James via the clubhouse, tel 734806, for tickets priced £40, £45 and £50.