LAST Saturday saw Barry entertain Lydney in their latest pre-season friendly, which turned out to be an entertaining encounter between two well matched sides who both provided the spectators with some quality rugby.

Such was the quality that the final whistle was greeted by spontaneous applause, rarely seen in rugby at this level.

The opening minutes gave no indication of what was to come as the visitors dominated early possession and scored the opening try within four minutes of the kick-off.

However Barry began to warm to the task and when in possession looked threatening, but the moves were either breaking down or ending in penalties.

Still having to defend, Barry withstood further attacks close to their line but also had to beware the talented Lydney backs as they countered from deep.

One such attack was halted close to the line at the cost of a penalty, but Barry were caught out as Lydney took it quickly to breach the defence for a second try and a 14 point lead.

Minutes later Barry finally got themselves on the scoreboard, as a break by Provis took play into the visitors' 22 and earned a penalty from which Hollister crashed over for the try. Scott converted from out wide to reduced the deficit to seven points.

Barry seemed to gain confidence from that score and embarked on a dominant period in the game.

A further Barry attack should have resulted in another score before half time, but poor decision making gave Lydney to the chance to counter, a score only prevented by a fine last ditch tackle by L. O'Sullivan. This left the score at 14-7 as the whistle went for half time.

Barry made changes for the second half to give everyone some game time and it took some minutes for the side to settle down, as Lydney continued to counter attack from deep with Barry on the defensive in the early minutes of the half.

The pressure was finally relieved when a scrum clearance from Barross took play sixty metres downfield where they kept the visitors pinned down.

Lydney finally managed to launch a counter which took play to the Barry 22, but as the move broke down O'Sullivan was on hand to hack the loose ball through, scoring a fine individual effort. Barross' conversion put the scores level.

Moments later, the willingness of the visitors to attack from all areas was to prove their undoing again, as they lost the ball in midfield allowing White the run in to the line. Barross again added the extras to put Barry in the lead for the first time at 21-14.

Now with their tails up Barry began to dictate matters. Several attacks were thwarted but they were not to be denied as a clever chip was well collected by Barross, who battled his way over for a try which he was unable to convert.

Lydney were not finished, attacking wherever possible and but for some good defending would have added to their score on more than one occasion.

They did score a deserved try after a series of phases to bring them within one score, and with more pressure soon after it took a solid defensive effort from Barry to clear their lines.

With the pressure relieved and back in the visitors' territory, a bout of slick handling saw Barry get the final score. Winger Locksley scored his first try for the club, cleverly beating the visitors' defence to cross with Barross again adding the extras to give them a 33-19 win.

In this weekend's final warm up game, Barry entertain strong opposition in the form of Principality Premiership outfit Bargoed's second XV.

Kick off once again is 2.30pm.

This weeks lottery numbers were 09 - 16 - 20 and 23. Again, there were no winners so this week's jackpot increases to £5,860.