THIS Saturday (September 1) sees Barry RFC begin their 125th season with the opening League fixture away against Taffs Well, who are also celebrating their 125th anniversary. A coach will leave the Club for Taffs Well at 12.30pm.

The Barry club have enjoyed two good performances pre-season, with games against Cardiff RFC and last week against Cardiff & District, where they gained a well earned victory playing some attractive rugby.

BARRY RFC 48 CARDIFF AND DISTRICT SELECT 19

THE celebration of a century and a quarter of rugby in Barry continued with a home fixture against a strong capital city XV. The evening match last Wednesday was blessed with late-summer sunshine and a strong westerly wind.

Starting with the twin advantages of wind and gradient, Barry established a foothold in Cardiff territory from which Hewitson was held up just short of the line. With the pack pressing forward, justice was done when Evans crossed from close range.

Stung by this reverse, the visitors replied with a fine try wide out to level the scores. Both teams were intent on playing open rugby and succeeded in producing a very enjoyable spectacle. Ryan fielded a high ball and launched a counter attack, which was rounded off by Deguara who forced his way over near the posts.

The first half drew to a conclusion with an exchange of tries, the Barry score being credited to hooker Evans.

Barry rang the changes during the second session but their cohesion was undiminished. They were soon further ahead via a try by Poole to which Cardiff responded with one of their own. Their conversion was of the “in-off the post” variety.

Ten minutes in, Luke O’Sullivan got on the scoresheet with a fine long-range try. Barry continued playing positive rugby, with flair and pace in attack and solidity and concentration in defence. Cardiff could not match these facets of play and were undone at regular intervals. Tries came regularly, with the Barry scorers being Provis, Lee and Dix.

Despite being a non-league fixture, all the Barry players should be pleased with such a promising performance. Of particular note was the contribution made by the newcomers. There was a good blend of youth and experience that will serve the side well in the forthcoming season.

Barry: Rhys O’Sullivan, Alun Evans, Hollister, Deguara, Scott (who also featured against Cardiff), Lee Jones, Hadfield, L O’Sullivan, Thorne, Hewitson, Alex Evans, Ryan Gooderham, Rhys Gooderham, J Williams and Ryan.

Replacements. D Williams, Provis, Lee, Taylor, Vidal, Poole, Dix, Hunt, Lundt, Elsworth, Hywel Jones, Rolfe, Rendell and Poole.

Coaches: Gibbon, Griffiths and R Scott. Team manager: Lock.

* The 125th anniversary dinner will be held at Barry Memorial Hall on Saturday, October 13. Guest speakers include Wales and British Lions legend Gerald Davies, Rick O'Shea from BBC's Scrum Five and, subject to his commitments, Wales National Coach Warren Gatland will be there.

Tickets are available now priced £30, to be sold in tables of ten - email andyjam68@yahoo.co.uk to include your address, or call 01446 411737 (individual ticket applications will be accepted).