Back-to-back wins for Barry at last!

8:12am Thursday 1st May 2008

BARRY 1ST XV 20

DOWLAIS 12

NOT SINCE the shock victory in wet mid-January against eventual league champions Llandaff North and the follow-up success away at Cilfynydd gave Barry won consecutive games this season.

After last week's win against the then fourth placed CHSOB it was third placed Dowlais who were the challengers.

The corresponding away fixture had seen the second highest points conceded, admittedly with a depleted Barry team, so it would be a big ask.

A good start was therefore imperative and it could not have been any better than fullback Rhys Hardy's try after just five minutes.

A typically powerful midfield break by centre Dave Provis saw scrum half Darren Gibbon at the tackle area, and he opened up the defence to put the ever youthful supporting second row Lyndon James clear for the final scoring pass to his fullback on the outside. Cummings converted superbly into a difficult wind.

The lead was increased to 10 points with a penalty kick from Cummings midway through the half. As well as astute kicking some powerful runs by the outside half saw Cummings and No 8 Hywel Jones competing for the best hand-offs.

Fullback Hardy impressed with his attacking flair and with his deceptive pace, caused Dowlais all sorts of problems from broken play, and was the instigator of some of Barry's best play.

In quite an abrasive forward battle, second row Lyndon James had to retire hurt in the closing minutes of the half, replaced by Julian McTavish.

Having played down the slope but into the wind in the first half, Barry had the wind on their backs as the second period began.

Within five minutes of the restart Hardy sliced through the blind side defence to set up winger Jamie Jones with a scoring opportunity. Although he crossed the try line the ball was adjudged not to have been grounded.

From the scrum and then breakdown situation flanker Jason Evans forced his way through the gap opening up between defenders for the second Barry try. Again Cummings' immaculate kick sailed between the uprights. A crucial early score to make up for a couple of first half misses that Barry could well have come to rue.

As if sent to test Barry's resolve, the wind direction swung back in their faces and Dowlais were able to take advantage and camp in the infamous bottom corner.

After a period of solid defensive play it was a converted penalty try for a first offence of pulling down a maul that gave Dowlais hope of a comeback.

A penalty soon afterwards, by Cummings, settled nerves for a while until from a debatable 5m lineout, again in the corner, the visiting forwards drove over for an unconverted try and renewed hope.

In previous matches, Barry had succumbed to such pressure situations but for the final ten minutes they controlled the ball and when the whistle went for the end of play, they were the attacking team.

Barry: Rhys Hardy, Jamie Jones, Dave Provis, Kyle Fahiya, Pete O'Sullivan, Chris Cummings (C), Darren Gibbon, James Hollister, Andrew Prosser, Ashley Brown, Lyndon James, John Campbell, Owain Brown, Jason Evans, Hywel Jones. Subs J McTavish, Lewis Williams, Barrie Booker, Rhys Jones.

As Barry chase a hat trick of weekend wins it will not be possible to avoid relegation. Victory in the final game could see Barry at least lift themselves off the foot of the table and prove that they had the ability to be equal to the top four sides in the division.

Promoted runners-up Aberdare visit the Reservoir Field on Saturday, May 3, kick-off 2.30pm, so make the most of a Bank Holiday Saturday and see the season's finale.