Barry RFC gave their Admiral League survival hopes a boost with a 35-13 win at Rhiwbina.
A strong and confident performance has kept the Bombers' bid to preserve Division 1 status very much alive - with five quality tries earning five match points and widening the gap between with second-bottom Rhiwbina.
After a tricky first 15 minutes, Barry shrugged off the effects of a month without a game, taking control of this fast-flowing match and growing in confidence throughout.
After the unexpected, but thoroughly deserved, derby victory at Penarth on December 14th, the pressure of expectation was on Barry in their first game back, particularly given the importance of this fixture.
But, as head coach Mike Morgan commented: “Once they settled into the game plan, things started falling into place, and that allowed us to go forward with confidence. And as the confidence was growing we were more and more in control."
“We were a little rusty, shaky at the start. But the fact that we could, after 15 minutes, settle, find our patterns, grow in confidence throughout the game and come away with five tries and five points is testament to their character.”
Rhiwbina ran up an 8-0 lead in the first 15 minutes with a penalty from Cam Pike being followed by a try from Geraint Porter.
Barry hit back with tries from Josh Edwards (25 minutes), following a chip ahead by Aled Rees, and then a superb jinking run from halfway by Victor Corrihons (31) - with both efforts converted by Jack Davies.
Porter got his second for Rhiwbina five minutes into the second half, but then it was largely all Barry. Aled Rees shrugged off a tackle to go over (50'), before coaches’ player of the match Dan Hobson capped a fine display with the vital fourth try after pressure on the line (57').
More pressure on the line saw Jack Long underscore Barry’s superiority with the fifth try (73') and Davies rounded off a perfect day from the tee with a fifth conversion.
After eleven games, Barry are on 21 points, with Rhiwbina on 10 and Porth Harlequins on five. Of Barry’s remaining seven games, five are at home, starting with the winless Quins at the Reservoir Field on Saturday.
The weight of expectation will be felt again. “We will have to double down on our focus,” said Morgan. “We can’t take our foot off the gas.”
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At the top end of Division One, Penarth are the new leaders following their 43-31 win over Porth Harlequins.
Although the Bears reached the summit for the first time this season, they have played two games more than their main title rivals St Joseph's.
Elsewhere in the East Central region, Llantwit Major came away from Treharris with a 36-19 victory to keep them fifth in the table.
Dinas Powys remain seven points clear at the top of Division Four, following their 74-0 whitewash at home to Treherbert.
Old Penarthians were on the receiving end of a 45-0 demolition at Pontycymmer in Division Five.
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