Victory comes too late for Barry RFC

8:04am Thursday 8th May 2008

BARRY 1ST XV 26

ABERDARE 19

THE REARRANGED fixture at Abercwmboi was played on Wednesday of last week, prior to Saturday's final match.

Unfortunately, due to a serious injury to a home player, the game had to be abandoned with Barry trailing 13-7, with the result standing.

So, the Aberdare game had nothing at stake, other than pride, with the visitors already assured of promotion and Barry resigned to next season in Division 5.

Early pressure from the Barry forwards enabled Chris Cummings to grab the lead through a snap drop goal, followed minutes later by a long range penalty.

Aberdare took the lead for the only time on the half hour with a converted try before Cummings replied with a further penalty just before the interval.

It seemed that Barry may have squandered the benefit of the strong wind in that first period.

They made up for it when from the restart the first time the ball hit the ground was when second row John Campbell touched down in the corner after it had slickly passed through the hands of his fellow forwards.

After some impressive midfield threequarter play to gain the attacking position, the front row of Ashley Brown, Aaron Prosser and James Hollister won a 5 metre scrum against the head. Quick thinking by No 8 Hywel Jones enabled outside half Cummings to force his way to the try line and over.

The crucial period of play came when Barry were down by two players for yellows and the excellent defence and organising by the rearranged 13 quelled the Aberdare forward onslaught.

The injured Hollister was replaced by Youth team captain David Hoskins at prop and proved that there is talent coming through the ranks for next season.

Back to a full complement of players for the final ten minutes, Rhys Hardy cut through between defenders in their 22m area to score what proved to be in the end the crucial try.

Cummings converted to claim his full house of drop goal, try, penalty and conversion to top a fine individual match winning performance.

The game should have been put well out of reach but some poor, rather slipshod passes went to ground at vital times.

A converted try by Aberdare from a forward drive made for a slightly nervous last five minutes. The final action of the game saw an unconverted try and a more flattering score line to the visitors in defeat.

Another great effort by the Barry players, but all too late in the overall context of the season, and the question to be addressed is why.

If the bulk of this talented squad can be retained for next season and the Seconds and Youth players coming through properly harnessed, then hopefully it should only be a short visit to Division 5.

Squad: Rhys Hardy, Pete O'Sullivan, Dave Provis, Kyle Fahiya, Jamie Jones, Chris Cummings, Josh Davies, James Hollister, Andrew Prosser, Ashley Brown, Martin Tanner (Capt), John Campbell, Dai Griffiths, Owain Brown, Hywel Jones. Subs D Hoskins, D Ryan, J McTavish, D Gibbon.

Players and supporters are asked to note that the presentation evening will be held at the clubhouse on Friday, May 23. Those interested should contact Club Secretary Dai James or Team Manager Stuart Lock for full details.