BARRY RFC 1st XV 39pts

BRYNCETHIN 8

HAVING enjoyed four wins and a draw from their last five games, Barry Rugby Club Firsts had high hopes of extending the good run against visitors Bryncethin.

On a blustery but predominantly rain-free afternoon, supporters were not to be disappointed and, with Barry starting well, they broke through after just three minutes when some excellent forward play by the pack led to Jamie Oaten going over in the corner for a first try of the afternoon converted by outside-half Einan Scott.

Responding to the setback by taking play into the Barry half for the first time, Bryncethin transgressed in their eagerness and, after the resulting scrum, Scott made a fine break and ran a good 35 yards before drawing the defence and passing to Dave Provis who went over for the second try which Tom Lee converted to give the home side a 14-point lead after only eight minutes.

Unfortunately, two of Barry's star players were forced off by injury, with hooker Alyn Evans having a hamstring problem and being replaced by Nick Lundy and Scott suffering a dead leg and being replaced by Joe Gallivan.

After Bryncethin reduced the deficit with a penalty, they looked as if they were getting their act together, but, following sterling defence work by Barry and a good break by Luke O’Sullivan, play was taken well inside the visitors' half. After a scrum infringement, Barry were awarded another penalty which Lee converted.

Fully aware that they could not afford to take their foot off the pedal, Barry did, unfortunately, go off the boil for a while, and Bryncethin started to attack strongly and put the home side under a lot of pressure. They were camped yards from the Barry line for quite some time and only some excellent defensive work kept them out.

However, whether it was out of frustration or over eagerness, they transgressed again and again and Barry were able to clear their lines with the penalties.

Approaching half-time, some tremendous work by the Barry forwards saw them advance 20 yards and, when the visitors were caught offside, Lee once again made no mistake with the penalty.

Barry were unlucky not to increase their 20-3 advantage before the break when, after an interception, Richie O’Sullivan raced 50 yards but, with the line at his mercy, he, unfortunately, slipped on the muddy surface and knocked on.

Starting the second half with gusto, Barry moved further ahead after just a minute when Provis score his second try after a kick and chase, with Lee again converting.

With a 27-3 lead and three tries, Barry's thoughts naturally turned to thoughts of a bonus point but, 10 minutes later, their flanker, Owain Poole, was sin binned after a collision with a Bryncethin player. The visitors made every effort to capitalise on their numerical advantage, but to no avail thanks to some excellent defensive work. However, during one of these attacks, double try scorer Provis had to leave the field after injuring his knee.

A charged down defensive kick led to a well-deserved try for the visitors, but Barry were determined to hone in on the much sought after bonus point try and, during an attacking move, Lee chipped the ball over the advancing defence to allow Luke O’Sullivan to hack on, pick up from around his ankles and cross. With the conversion by Lee successful and the score at 34-8, there was no way back for Bryncethin who played extremely well in spite of the scoreline.

The icing on the cake came with five minutes left when wing Mike Hamonda picked up a loose ball and raced 30 yards for a great try.

This was a spirited display by Barry who thoroughly deserved their win and bonus point.

Barry: R O’Sullivan, A Evans, J Hollister, J Oaten, G Jones, L O’Sullivan, H Jones(capt.), O Poole, T Lee, E Scott, T Scott, R O’Sullivan, D Provis, M Hamonda and D Ryan. Subs: J Gallivan, P Harrison, N Lundy and J McTavish.

Barry’s next match is away to Abercwmboi on Saturday, April 12.

C W H