BARRY visited local rivals Llantwit Major in their latest League game last Saturday in a game between two sides currently at the top of the table. It was not surprising that it turned into a cliff hanger that was only decided in the final minutes, with the visitors coming away with the points.

Early match nerves were obvious in the opening minutes as both sides probed for openings, with the home side scoring the first points of the game from a penalty.

Playing their now customary open style Barry came back to the attack that forced the home defence to concede a penalty which, taken quickly, created space for full back Scott to cross to open the Barry account with the conversion being successful.

The home pack appeared to be getting on top of the Barry eight as the half progressed, and it was no surprise when following a period when Barry were finding it difficult to achieve any possession they conceded a penalty which was successful.

Despite stealing a lineout Barry were to fall behind as the clearance went out on the full giving Llantwit another chance which they took as their speedy centre outstripped the Barry defence to score an excellent try, which with the conversion gave the home side a 13-7 lead with a quarter of the game gone.

Despite this setback Barry began to earn parity up front which gave them the opportunity to launch counter attacks which finally forced Llantwit to yield another penalty duly converted by Scott to reduce the deficit to three points.

The final minutes of the half saw both teams attacking and defending and both unlucky not to score, to leave the game on a knife edge as the second half began.

With the next score vital for both teams, defences had to be at their best which turned out to be the case.

The first chance fell to Barry, but the penalty from a difficult position was missed. Minutes later the home side were given a penalty following a sin bin offence and duly went into a six point lead.

Once again the Barry defence was being pressurised by a lively Llantwit team, but the visitors individually and as a group would not give an inch.

Withstanding that period of pressure appeared to give Barry renewed confidence and it was their turn to go on the offensive with Scott producing successive breaks to unsettle the home side.

The fitness of the visitors was beginning to show and the forwards began to dominate at scrum time. This provided opportunities to let the backs go and following three attempts to cross the line, Barry were not to be denied as White broke through wide out to score. The conversion was missed still leaving Barry a point behind with less than 10 minutes left.

With attack being the best form of defence the home team tried to create chances but were unable to breakdown a stubborn Barry defence and were to give a penalty for an infringement on the floor that would give Barry the lead for the first time since the 10th minute.

Barry maintained the pressure as they encamped in the home 25. The match was to finish with a further try to Barry which came unexpectedly from a home scrum. The home side struck the ball cleanly but were unable to control it at the back and as the ball flew out to flanker Hadfield was first to react to score a fine opportunistic try which with the conversion gave Barry the lead 26-15 as the final whistle went to end a thoroughly entertaining game which was a credit to both teams

Once again a fine team performance with every player contributing to a well earned victory.

This Saturday it's back to the Swalec Bowl where we entertain Hirwaun in the second round at the Reservoir Field kick off 2.30pm.