WITH every match vital in the push for promotion, Barry needed to be at their best against bogey side Llandaff in Cardiff last Saturday. Unfortunately this was not the case and the score line did not reflect what happened in those 80 minutes.

For the first 20 minutes the Barry game was littered with mistakes and with a lively home side eager to keep the ball in play, the visitors were called on to defend for most of that period. In fact the home team could well have been in front with a little more accuracy.

Barry finally managed to begin to get some meaningful possession and reached the opposition 22 for the first time and launched some offence of their own which forced the home side to have to defend. Following a forward drive Barry nearly opened the scoring but were held short of the line.

Barry were to lose Oaten in the play that followed with replacement Dutton entering the fray.

Now forced to defend the home side began to concede penalties and from a quickly taken one Scott crashed over in the corner to score and add the extras to give the visitors a seven point lead.

At a stage when Barry had the upper hand and plenty of possession further scores were expected by the away supporters but regretfully this was not to be as at least four try scoring chances were missed.

The half which should have seen Barry with a bonus point in the bag ended with just one score ahead and the game still to be won.

Buoyed by having held out in the first 40 minutes Llandaff opened the second full of confidence and it didn't take long for them to square the match following a quickly taken penalty some 40 yards out saw the scrum half cross without a finger being laid on him and with the conversion successful the game was level.

Worse was to come with Barry, unable to get set piece possession from either scrum or lineout, struggled to see the ball at all and it was no surprise when their dominance in all facets of play saw the home side take the lead through a penalty. In reality things could have been worse but for some sound defending by the visitors.

Barry were indeed fortunate to be only three points down when the game entered its final quarter with it difficult to see where their next score was coming from if they continued to be second best.

Somehow, and perhaps this shows the character of the squad, a mistake by the home defence from the kick off gave Barry possession and the recycled ball was spread wide for Jones to score wide out with the conversion missed.

This score seemed to put new life into Barry and with the home appearing to tire space began to appear in all areas and as the ball was spread wide White was on hand to take the final pass to cross for a try which went converted to give them a nine point lead.

Llandaff had not given up and as Barry continued to lose their set piece the defence had to be at its best.

However it was Barry who finished the stronger and after being held just short of the line, Evans crashed over from the resulting lineout and Barry finally got the bonus point, so crucial at this stage of the season.

Now in total control and camped on the home line Barry's final try was scored by Perry to see the game end with a 31-10 victory, a result they will be pleased to take but mindful of what’s to come over the next three weeks and the need to improve on this showing.

Next Saturday is Barry's own Judgement Day as they entertain Old Illtydians, one place below them in the league, in the first of two meetings between the sides over the next fortnight, which will have a huge bearing on the end of season table. A big home support would be good to see with the game kicking off at 2.30pm.

A reminder that tickets are going fast for the Presentation Dinner Dance on July 17 at the Memo. A few tables are still available and interested parties should contact Andy Jamieson for information.