Game slips from Barry RFC's grasp

10:05am Thursday 21st February 2008

BARRY 1ST XV 28

FERNDALE 31

THE ENFORCED two week international break since the victory at Cilfynydd seemed to be of benefit to Barry as they raced into an early 7 point lead after as many minutes of play.

A 30 metre break by Captain Martin Tanner followed by an accurate deft pass to winger Dave Provis on his outside saw him run in close to the posts for the formality of a conversion by centre Chris Cummings.

This was to b no easy stroll though and within five minutes Ferndale levelled, catching Barry unawares, running out from within their own 22m area to score.

A further 10 points by the visitors in equal time from a penalty and converted interception try stunned the home team and supporters.

Despite the dominance of the Barry forwards in the scrums and lineouts a lack of tactical positional play saw Barry unable to get within striking distance of the try line.

The Ferndale threequarters were unable to get around the Barry backs and so the 10 point gap remained the same up to half time.

The turnaround team talk was about securing the ball and, through the dominant forwards, to play "up the jumper rugby".

Even the referee chipped in with some "quiet" words of advice regarding "chatter".

Two successful penalty attempts in the opening 10 minutes by Cummings reduced the deficit and moments from the restart the lead was regained.

No 8 Matt Campbell made a storming touchline run from halfway and put winger Pete O'Sullivan into space for the corner try. A superb conversion from wide out from Cummings created a 3 point lead which was soon doubled when his third successful penalty kick went between the uprights with a quarter of the match to go.

Flanker James Hadfield scored Barry's third try with a trademark strong jinking swerving run of 25m close to the touchline, eventually carrying a tackler over the tryline on top of him.

The opportunity of a fourth try and additional bonus point came within reach as Barry pressurised close to the Ferndale line but to no avail, and that initial dream thought turned into a final nightmare ending.

A converted penalty try to the visitors followed by another converted try in the last action of the game during extended injury time saw another game that Barry dominated and should have won, stolen from their grasp in a cruel manner.

Team: Rhys Hardy, Dave Provis, Dominic Busittil, Chris Cummings, Pete O'Sullivan, Andy Griffiths, John Dimond, M Tanner (Capt), Ashley Brown, James Hollister, John Campbell, Lyndon James, Hywel Jones, Matt Campbell, James Hadfield. Replacements A Buckland, J Haskell, Josh Davies.

The next league game will be the St David's Day local derby away at Llantwit Major on Saturday, March 1, ko 2,30pm .

One of the outstanding fixtures has been rearranged for the following Wednesday, March 5, at Taffs Well, ko 7.15pm.