BARRY entertained a strong Llantwit Fardre side at the Reservoir Field last Saturday with both sides producing a highly competitive and entertaining game which saw the home side victorious 33-26.

Thankfully the rain had stopped as Barry kicked off up the slope.

They pressed the home defence to earn an immediate penalty, successfully kicked by Kyle Barross to take an early lead.

The heavier visitors forwards tried to dominate the Barry pack as they reached the line from a penalty, but lost the advantage as Barry stole the ball and cleared.

With Barry trying to spread the ball and keep the visitors on the move, space was limited as Fardre were not committing numbers to rucks and mauls.

Holding their own at the scrum Barry launched the backs from quick ball to create an overlap which produced the games first try as the ball finally reached Dylan Robertson to cross and with Kyle Barross adding the extras they took a 10 point lead.

Early unforced errors and solid defending when required had limited the visitors chances till now but they slowly got themselves back in the game through a series of penalties and whilst they could not cross the line they managed two successful penalties to reduce the deficit to four points.

Back came back to launch another attack but got penalised again.Expecting the ball to go to touch, Barry were caught cold as the kick was taken quickly allowing the Fardre to cross under the posts for a converted try and the game had been turned on it's head in a matter of minutes.

As in the past Barry came straight back on the attack and as a long pass took out two defenders Dylan Robertson was on hand to cross for a good try which again Barross converted and Barry had regained the lead 17 - 13 with half time approaching.

The first half scoring wasn't over as it was Fardre's turn to put Barry under pressure.They got their reward as Barry finally ran out of defensive numbers for a try wide out and with no conversion Barry ended the half one point in arrears.

With the breeze and slope now in their favour Barry took immediate advantage as Fardre transgressed allowing Kyle Barross to kick them into the lead again.

Both teams were guilty of finding themselves on the wrong side of the referee and the game suffered accordingly as momentum was lost.

It was Fardre who broke the deadlock as they took advantage when a Barry attack stalled taking them back into their 22 where they worked their way over for an unconverted try and the lead again.

Barry's tenacity was again rewarded as Fardre were penalised to give Kyle Barross the kick which brought the scores level.

The game was now in the balance but changed dramatically from the restart as Barry countered from the kick and moved the ball.

There didn't appear to be much on as the ball reached Dylan Robertson who set off down the touchline and with defenders to be beaten produced the try of the season as his superb change of pace left them all in his wake for a superb individual effort.

Kyle Barross added the conversion giving Barry a 7 point cushion.

It is not always the case but Barry began to play a clever tactical game by using territory sensibly, pegging Fardre back on defence struggling to break out of the stranglehold.Such pressure inevitably leads to errors and Barry earned another penalty in the 22 which Kyle Barross duly kicked for a 10 point lead.

Fardre were making odd forays into the Barry half but were unable to breach the still solid Barry defence and their only reward was a penalty to reduce the deficit to 7 points.

With time running out and both sides feeling the effects of a hard physical game, it was Barry who maintained a tight grip until the end to record what many spectators considered their best win of the season,a win which moves them to 4th in the table.

Barry's next league game is due to be against Heol Y Cyw away on the 24th November, the day of the Wales v South Africa game.

At present that may have to be rearranged with both teams indicating difficulties in fielding a team.

The Club Lottery reaches £3000 this week with no overall winner last week, two tickets claiming £10 for matching three.

The numbers were 04 - 09 - 10 and 16.

The Club Xmas draw takes place on Saturday Dec 1st.

If you are able to sell tickets they can be collected from Carol at the bar.

If you already have tickets to sell please ensure they are returned in good time with any unsold books so they can be resold.