Barry RFC resumed their Admiral League campaign with a 29-22 defeat at Abercynon in Division One East Central.
Barry, looking well beaten as they trailed 29-7, staged a superb second-half fightback which earned them both vital try and losing bonus points, and left the players wondering if an earlier start to the revival might have produced a different result.
Five weeks without a game, thanks to the weather and the international break, really showed in the Bombers’ first half performance.
Error-strewn, and on the back foot for long spells, the display was predictably punished by Abercynon, who ran in four tries before the interval and a fifth at the start of the second half.
“We talked before the game about being patient. We knew we were a bit rusty,” said coach Matt Silva. “To be fair to the boys, they stayed in there. I was going to say they stayed in touch, but at one point you wouldn’t have been surprised if that had turned into a 50-pointer."
"But it didn’t happen. I felt like pinching myself a bit at the end.”
“I thought Abercynon were excellent. They really came at us and played a lot of positive rugby. They jackaled well, their line speed was good. In the first half, it was the polar opposite of what we were doing."
"The second half, we put our hands up a bit more and started having a go. In the second half we were fighting for every ball, carrying harder, scrapping on the floor for the ball."
And having a go really paid off with some powerful, positive rugby and several flowing moves producing three fine tries. Abercynon, probably having felt they had done more than enough, suddenly found themselves having to dig deep to keep Barry out.
The final try came in the 77th minute. “I felt we could still win it,” said Silva. “And the boys believed that as well. Confidence was growing. They shouldn’t be too disappointed. That game gave them quite a bit of hope. Their attitude was good. But we need to show more of that commitment.”
Alyn Evans finished off a driving lineout for Barry’s first try in the 11th minute with Owen Rees converting to level the scores. Josh Edwards got the second following a penalty lineout and pressure in the 50th minute to make it 29-12.
Two tries in five minutes made for a tense finish. Evan Prosser rounded off a slick handling move in the 72nd minute and Dylan Thomas was on the end of a swift move from inside the Barry half as the Bombers showed what they can be capable of.
More of the same at home to Llanharan next Saturday perhaps?
Abercynon scorers:
Tries – Alex Hayman 2, Jordan Burke, Morgan Evans, Rhodri Smith, conversions – Smith 2
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Elsewhere, Cowbridge beat Usk 37-12 in their rearranged Division Two Cup clash, setting up a home quarter final against CR Cymry Caerdydd on January 24th.
Penarth's return to Division One action at Rhydyfelin was postponed, while in Division Three, Llantwit Major were beaten 37-19 at leaders Llandaff and Old Penarthians lost 47-13 at home to Cardiff Met Athletic in Division Five.
Next Saturday's fixtures
Division One East Central
Barry v Llanharan
Penarth v Abercynon
Division Two East Central
Cardiff Quins v Cowbridge
Division Three East Central
Dinas Powys v Canton
Llantwit Major v Llantrisant
Division Five East Central
Cardiff Saracens v Old Penarthians
Division Six East Central
Whitchurch v Sully Sports
* The quarter finals of the Division One Cup will see Penarth travel to face Aberavon Green Stars, following their 52-33 victory over Lampeter Town at Cardiff Arms Park last weekend.
Barry Ladies out of Adran Trophy
Barry reach Welsh Cup quarter finals
Llantwit-Celtic clash postponed again
Barry draw in Penybont derby
Barry cruise into Nathaniel MG Cup final
Penarth win Arms Park cup clash
Bombers left waiting for game time
Barry Ladies draw at TNS
Llantwit draw with Bluebirds
Barry prepare for cup showdown
Vale duo prepare for Challenge Cup opener
Barry and Llantwit up for league awards
Barry Town unveils new club strategy
Two out of two for Ingle
Rugby community rallies after Penarth fire
