Bombers boost league survival hopes

Barry RFC earned a much-needed 26-21 win over Llanharan to boost their Division One survival hopes in the Admiral League.

Despite being hit by injuries and illness, the Bombers delivered a welcome performance against their promotion-chasing visitors at the Reservoir Field, gaining revenge for defeat in their season opener and moving out of the relegation places.

Will Humphries was back from university and landed three penalties, with Victor Corrihons - back from Cross Keys to help out with the injury situation - scoring of one of Barry’s three tries.

After a week of rain, head coach Mike Morgan feared the conditions might dictate how the game went, but both sides shrugged off the challenge of a pitch that was heavy underfoot to play some entertaining and open rugby.

Barry had concentrated on last week's lesson, when a poor first half led to a defeat at Abercynon. “It’s all mindset with this team,” said Morgan. “The fitness is there, the physicality is there, the game plan is there."

“They just need to believe they can do it, and that’s what we worked on all week. At Abercynon last week there was belief in the second half. Our preparation was around that second half performance, and it paid dividends. From minute one we were switched on.”

Barry dominated the game in the set piece, with lineouts and mauls proving highly effective as Alyn Evans claimed  a try. And with the score at 19-14, Barry opted for a scrum, rather than kick, when Llanharan were penalised in front of the posts. A further infringement resulted in a penalty try.

Morgan named Jack Reid as his man of the match. “His work rate in defence was phenomenal. It was great to see individuals have a good game, but more important to see the squad play so well. It was genuinely a complete performance.”

Barry's performance was also helped by an official who allowed the game to flow. “He was disciplined early on, which sets a standard,” said Morgan. “It allows breakdown and set pieces to be cleaner, which gives an open game of rugby. It flowed, and was not stop-start.” 

The Bombers have a weekend off before the season resumes in January with Barry facing five games on the bounce when, hopefully, several injured players will be back. A demanding and crucial month starts with the Vale derby away at Penarth on January 3rd.

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Elsewhere, Penarth's game against Abercynon - their first at home since the Athletic Club fire - was postponed, leaving the Bears second in the table behind new leaders St Albans going into 2026.

Penarth visit Old Penarthians for their annual Boxing Day derby for the Richard Thomas Trophy, taking place at the Cwrt-y-Vil Playing Fields.

Cowbridge returned to Division Two action with a narrow 29-25 defeat at Cardiff Quins, while in Division Three, Dinas Powys beat Canton 19-0 for their first win under new head coach John Dimond and Llantwit Major slipped to back-to-back defeats, going down 14-8 at home to Llantrisant.

Old Penarthians' Division Five game against Cardiff Saracens and Whitchurch vs Sully Sports in Division Six were both postponed.

Dinas Powys pic courtesy of Judith Dutton