SPORT | Rugby – Determined defence gives Barry a hard-earned win:
Admiral National League Division 1 East Central
Barry RFC 20 Mountain Ash 12
BARRY RFC made it four wins from four starts in the league, moving up to third place after this hard-earned victory over last season’s champions Mountain Ash.
In a tightly-contested match, Barry’s four tries earned them a bonus point, and their excellent and determined defensive work kept the visitors at bay during a sustained late spell of pressure.
In an evenly balanced first half that produced few chances, both sides scored one try before the interval. But from 5-5, Barry opened up daylight in the second half, adding three more tries before Mountain Ash began their fightback.
Barry were under pressure after Mountain Ash had pulled it back to 20-12, but then the Bombers’ determination kept them at bay. “The last 20 minutes, it was ‘let’s keep them out’,” said head coach Liam Scott. Barry did, although it occasionally took some last-ditch defending.
“It was a total team effort. Take away the last 20 minutes when lineouts were going amiss, through fatigue more than anything else. Both elements and units played well together, which got us the result,” said Scott.
“I’ve always known we had ability in the squad. It’s about having belief. This is what we can do when we believe. The challenge for us is to always keep that level of passion.”
Einan Scott put Barry in front following a quickly-taken penalty by Aled Rees in the 13th minute, Steffan Calderbank replying 11 minutes later when the Mountain Ash scrum drove over.
Alyn Evans put Barry back in front two minutes into the second half, Barry driving over after a penalty lineout. Tom Perry’s break from defence set up the chance for Aron Arthur in the 54th minute, and Perry got the bonus point try in the 56th minute following a quickly-taken penalty.
Mountain Ash responded, James Cowdry scoring from a catch and drive in the 63th minute, Callum Hall converting, but they were unable to cut the deficit further as Barry’s determined defence and battling spirit denied them a bonus point.
- A minute’s silence was observed before the match in memory of former player and club captain Alun Jones.
- Barry have no game on Saturday, having withdrawn from the Division One Cup. They will host Division 2 East Central Llanishen on November 5 in the Mallett Cup.
- Barry’s Dominic Busuttil captained Malta against Bulgaria in their opening home European Rugby Conference 1 South Division fixture on October 15, Malta losing 23-14. Busuttil was on the bench for the visit to Slovenia on Saturday, Malta winning 46-10.
By: Ken Watkins
Photos: Judith Dutton.
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