Another late, late show from Barry earned a crucial 19-17 win over Llanishen in the Admiral League.
The Bombers completed the double over their promotion-chasing opponents with the last kick of the game and the clock deep in the red to clinch four more valuable points towards retaining their Division One status.
Barry, unlike the previous week, started well and scored two excellent tries in the first 13 minutes, dominating the opening quarter at the Reservoir Field with the strong wind and driving rain at their backs.
“But we stuttered a bit after that,” said head coach Mike Morgan. “Llanishen are a very good team, and we left the door open. They came back at us with very good rugby, and you could see why they are second in the league.”
Morgan felt Barry began to rush things after their promising start, with errors creeping in, which inevitably handed advantage to the visitors.
Worryingly, Llanishen took a 14-12 lead on the stroke of half-time, when Barry were one down due to a yellow card, with the elements set to favour the Lions in the second half.
At times, it needed some excellent defence to keep Llanishen out, with Barry conceding only a penalty before a late, lengthy surge of pressure from the Bombers had the Lions defending deep. The scrum, largely dominant throughout, gradually swung the game back in Barry’s favour.
“In patches we stuck to the game plan, which allowed us to stay in the game, and it was enough not to allow Llanishen to score more than the penalty,” said Morgan.
“Our defence really held. We stopped the kicking game, kept the ball in hand, went through the phases, and found ourselves in good positions."
“Three well-worked tries, all straight from the training paddock. I think the penny has dropped that if we stick to the game plan we are scoring quality tries and opponents are getting nowhere near us. As a coach that’s what you want to see.”
And as the clock moved six minutes into the red, with Barry camped on the Llanishen line, the message from their coaches on the sidelines was loud and clear – ‘stick to the game plan’ – which got through and certainly paid off.
Alyn Evans, almost predictably, had opened Barry’s account, ending a catch and drive after nine minutes. Four minutes later, a fine handling move saw Lewis Bumford going over, with Morgan Prosser converting.
Llanishen, currently second in the table behind Penarth, replied with tries from Elliott Swindlehurst after 26 minutes, and Lewis Marshall after 40, with Joshua James converting both. And when James extended the lead with a penalty after 67 minutes, Barry were left needing a try to level.
After a series of scrums on the visitors’ line, with one resulting in a yellow card, but surprisingly no penalty try, quick hands ended with Cam Williams going in under the posts, with Prosser again converting.
“A really positive day. We showed tenacity and perseverance. Eight points from the last two games,” said Morgan. “Now we concentrate on next week. Rhydyfelin away. I know they are bottom, but we will need to put everything out there.”
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The only other Division One East Central game on Saturday saw Abercynon pull further clear of relegation danger with a 31-0 win over bottom club Rhydfyelin.
Elsewhere in league action, Dinas Powys beat Fairwater 12-6 in Division Three, while Llantwit Major were beaten 24-0 at Cilfynydd.
In Division Five, Old Penarthians earned a crucial 15-10 victory over Glyncoch to leave them three points above the drop zone.
Next weekend's fixtures
Admiral National League
Division One East Central
Penarth v Cambrian Welfare
Rhydyfelin v Barry
Division Three East Central
Llantwit Major v Dinas Powys
Division Five East Central
Old Penarthians v Treherbert
WRU Women's Championship
Senghenydd v Old Penarthians (Sunday)
Kenyan safari for Barry bowlers
Barry rout Brynmawr in youth friendly
Barry beaten in phase two opener
Llantwit rained off again
Llantwit sign keeper Gardiner
Wharton returns to Barry Town
Grady recalled for Six Nations
Llantwit visit Treowen in WBS Cup quarter finals
Talks to be held on Cardiff Rugby sale
Penarth slip up against Abercwmboi
Llantwit reach WBS Cup quarter finals
Barry kick off Phase Two at TNS
Vale teams join in Cardiff clubs' day
Le Tour comes to Cardiff
Barry cruise into Cymru Premier Top Six
Barry prepare for Top Six decider
