Sport – Barry storm back in second half for a fine win

THIS really was a game of two halves, Barry shrugging off a disappointing first half and producing a more determined approach after the interval to turn the game round, leaving Llanishen well beaten.

Despite playing with the strong wind in the first half, Barry failed to take advantage and conceded four tries, largely due to some poor tackling, with only a desperately needed try late in the half keeping them within touching distance.

Llanishen secured a try bonus point in the first half hour and, with the wind at their backs, probably expected an easy ride after the interval. Instead, Barry came out positively, dominating possession and territory, and restricting the visitors to a single penalty.

“I don’t think they created much in the first half,” said coach Tom Perry, “but we were falling off tackles, which made it really easy for them. So I said to the boys at half-time that we had to shore up our defence, tackle round their legs, and it will be a completely different game.”

Jack Davies landed three penalties for Barry in the first half (7, 20, 27 minutes), but Llanishen replied with their four tries before Will Humphries rounded off a good passing move in the 36th minute to keep Barry in a game which had appeared to be running away from them. Llanishen had converted just one of their tries.

But after the interval, the Bombers took control, defended strongly when they had to, and rarely allowed Llanishen to threaten, Taylor O’Connor’s 43rd minute try after a spell of pressure starting the powerful fightback.

More pressure in the 58th minute saw Josh Edwards make the break before sending Aled Rees over, Jack Davies adding the conversion to put Barry ahead. Llanharan’s solitary penalty reply was swiftly followed by a 65th minute try, Alyn Evans driving over for the bonus point.

Another lengthy spell in the visitors’ red zone paid off in the 72nd minute, with Dan Davies snaffling Barry’s fifth try and Jack Davies converting.

“It’s good to have a good win, which gives a boost to the boys. Because we were safe, we’ve treated it a bit more like pre-season, nothing to win, nothing to lose,” said Perry. “We’ve tried a few different things. That second half showed their hard work is paying off. This was a massive win, but very deserved to be fair.”

Barry end their season on Saturday when division leaders St Joseph’s are the visitors to the Reservoir Field.

Ken Watkins

Photo: Judith Dutton.

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