A TRIP up the M50 took Barry RFC Under-11s to the Sixways Stadium to compete in the Worcester Warriors Tournament.

The day started brightly with team manager Hannah Prosser securing the use of the WRU team bus much to the appreciation of the players and supporters.

The draw for the group stage saw Barry matched with Hereford, Ledbury and the hosts Worcester with the top two progressing to the knock-out stages of the cup.

Hereford were the first opposition and the Bombers wasted no time with Jadyn Rowley breaking from the half-way line with the opening try in the first attack of the game. The bus journey had obviously not affected Barry whose handling and quick ruck recycling saw Hereford on the end of six further first half tries shared between Charlie Hurdman, Andrew Szuchnik, Wil Humphreys and Rowley once again.

The second half saw changes with Morgan Deyes, Jack Bryant and Malachy McIntyre coming off the bench and the dominance continued with scores from Cameron Williams and Jaydn Rowley. Williams was replaced by Cole Dollan after his score half-way through the second half and Barry had started with a bang racking up 10 tries to leave a score of Barry 50, Hereford 0.

In the next game Danny Alderman was handed a starting place and Worcester were sure to put up more of a fight at their home ground. It took some slick handling from the Bombers to release Szuchnik out wide who outpaced the defence for a try.

Barry's speed at the breakdown was again proving a problem for the English side and Cai Beasley's service from scrum half allowed Flynn Baker to distribute along the backline and free up Rowley and Hurdman for tries. The Barry defence was finally breached after turning over at a maul for Worcester to score but that was to be the last of the game and Barry again ran out winners 15-5.

So it was now a play off for top spot in the group with Ledbury in the final game. With the Bombers already assured a place in the knock stages they seemed to take their foot off the gas and produced a very tame display with Ledbury dominating every facet of the game.

A scoreless first half then saw Ledbury run in two unanswered tries and the Bombers were to finish as runners-up in the group and would play the winners of Group B, Bridgenorth.

After a chat from coaches and a break for refuelling the Bombers once again found the rugby that they showed in the first two games.

In a game against a side that racked up 17 tries in three group games the Barry defence needed to be strong and Evan Prosser, Morgan Dancey and Cameron Williams put in some bruising hits that rocked the Bridgenorth players. With backline again on song and support from forwards that were enjoying the challenge a try from Prosser and two more from Williams saw the Bombers in the final.

The final saw the Bombers with a chance to avenge Ledbury's earlier defeat as they won the second semi-final and set up what was sure to be an entertaining encounter.

The physicality was apparent from the opening whistle with both sides trying to stamp their mark on the game. Barry opened the scoring with Rowley's trademark pace seeing him break the Ledbury line for a clear run in.

Baker had a deserved try of his own after setting up so many throughout the day to put the Bombers 10-0 ahead at half-time. Ledbury came out to turn the game on its head in the second half with two tries of their own to level the scores.

With possession at a premium the Barry forwards provided quick ball for Humphrey's to regain the lead with a try but a break by the Ledbury winger, who hugged the touchline as closely as possible, levelled the scores once again. Williams, who had been awesome all day, came up with some barnstorming runs late in the game and crossed to give Barry a five point lead.

Ledbury were to now throw the kitchen sink at Barry and the defence was up to it with massive hits from Prosser, Baker, Humphreys and Williams repelling the English runners. Barry turned over possession, Humpreys kicked the ball to touch and the Bombers took the silverware back over the border to Wales. This is a fitting reward to end a season for a group of very talented and tight-knit players. Well done Mini Bombers.