Barry RFC are through to the final of the WRU Youth Plate following a 34-19 victory over Haverfordwest in the semis.
“I had the misery two years ago, and I’ve got the pleasure this year.”
Youth head coach John Dimond was in reflective mood after Barry’s deserved victory in a hard-fought semi-final at Trimsaran.
Controversially beaten in the semi-final of the Youth Cup two years ago, the pain of which has lingered long in the memory, this year the burden was lifted, an interception try 25 minutes into the second half putting some welcome daylight between the teams.
This was quickly followed by another, cutting Haverfordwest well adrift, ensuring the Bombers would be contesting the final, and leaving an emotional Dimond, in his last season as youth head coach, almost lost for words.
“To be a coach over all the years I’ve been coaching and to bring these boys through to finish things off, I can’t find the words. I’ve got to emphasise it’s a team effort. Some of the boys were dying on their feet out there at the end. We’ve got what we wanted.”
Barry started the game strongly, territorially dominating the first 20 minutes, with Tyler Reinholdt going over in the corner after five minutes.
But as Barry were off target with their kicks, Haverfordwest gradually eased their way into the game, and a series of penalties in Barry’s 22 ended with Iori Curtis scoring in the 29th minute and Rio Phillips converting.
Man of the match Isaac Thomas put Barry back in front in the 33rd minute, following a kick ahead and chase by Ellis O’Grady, with Morgan Prosser converting in front of the posts.
But that 12-7 interval lead vanished early in the second half, as Phillips went over after a quick tap penalty, before converting his own score.
Prosser’s penalty put Barry back in front before Thomas’ 65th minute interception saw him race away from just inside the Haverfordwest half, changing the momentum of the game, and Morgan’s conversion opening an eight-point gap.
Joe Jenkins added another following a quick tap penalty four minutes later, with Prosser’s conversion putting Barry 29-14 ahead and one foot in the final, where they will meet Gorseinon, who beat Crymych 19-8.
Max Fenn scored in the corner for Haverfordwest after 72 minutes before Zac Edwards underlined Barry’s late domination with a score out wide five minutes from the end.
Dimond, who has been at Barry as a player and coach for 25 years, cannot remember a team from the club reaching a national final.
“All the boys finishing their Youth rugby will go into the seniors with a badge of honour. And the teams coming behind them will have big boots to fill.”
And his final word, on a day when his youth team put an end to two years of hurt? “Ecstatic.”
Six Nations: Lloyd dropped for Scotland clash
Llantwit trio up for league awards
Adran Premier: Barry draw again with Swans
Bombers stay up despite defeat
Llantwit earn late draw with Ceiber
Barry target Youth Plate glory
Development test for Bombers U17s
Three in a row for Llantwit
Nomads cut the gap on Barry
Lloyd drops to bench for Ireland clash
Women's Euros legacy fund 'shortchanged'
Former Barry Town Academy star signs for Chelsea Women's FC
Cardiff Cup: Bombers beat Llantwit Fardre
Barry face Haverfordwest in Youth Plate semis
Bluebirds end Barry's Welsh Cup hopes
Bombers frustrated by Llanharan defeat
Another six-goal thriller for Llantwit
