The Illts slipped to a disappointing defeat away at fellow promotion chasers Barry, bringing their 11 game winning run to an end and ending their promotion hopes for the season. The Illts backline, already understrength suffered a further blow when centre Matt Banner pulled his groin in the warm up – although he started the game he was clearly struggling and had to be replaced after just 15 minutes. With Twinner also going off at half time the Illts finished the game with hooker Mike Hiscocks on the wing and scrum half Sam Perrett at full back, a far from ideal scenario against a pacy home back division.
The Illts played against a strong wind in the first half and struggled for territory, with the home fly half controlling the game expertly. Mistakes also hurt the visitors, with one Barry try coming directly from a ball spilled in midfield and the second after a wave of home attacks allowed the home prop to rumble over. The Barry 10 also struck 2 penalties to one from Dewi Williams and the hosts led 16-3 at half time.
Needing a massive second half the Ilts started much better, with the pack starting to get on top of the heavier Barry 8. The Illts pack showed their power by driving over a lineout from the 22, with Morsey in the armchair once again. Dewi converted superbly to cut the gap to 6 points, but Barry extended their lead from the kick off with Potter and Maunder running into each other (dementia?) and the penalty for obstruction well struck by the 10.
By now the Illts pack was well on top but the home backs looked dangerous on the counter, and after an attempted kick through was blocked Barry broke away and despite a desperate cover tackle, the prop was on hand to crash over for his second try and extend the lead to 24-10.
The game seemed dead and buried but with the Illts pack growing stronger, big Jim crashed over for a well deserved meat pie on his final game of the season (see you in September Jim!) which was converted by Dewi to bring the Illts within a score. Another well struck penalty by the home ten pulled the score to 27-17 but again the Illts hit back with Henry Mitchell showing a nose for the line to dive over after more powerful work from the visitors pack. The conversion was missed but with a minute left the Illts had one final chance with the score at 27-22. Like so much of the afternoon, mistakes cost them as the kick off was dropped and the ref adjudged a knock on even though the ball appeared to go backwards. The Illts were penalised for a choice word in response and the home 10 converted to deny the Illts even a losing bonus point.
Despite the defeat there were some great performances in particular from Rob, Mike, Stu and Josh in the front row and Halpin and the Iranian tractor Lewis Mills (one gear following an early injury) in the back row.
The weekend had started on Friday night as the Saints returned to action with a game against a touring team from Paris. It was heartening to see such good numbers (multiple subs and we lent the Frogs a few) – we apparently won narrowly but the day was soured by a nasty injury to fly half David Crean who broke his leg. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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