Barry Comprehensive School

Back to News Index

The boys with Jonah Lomu and Craig Quinnell

Since the turn of the year Barry Comprehensive have continued to be successful in winter sports and are making progress in several competitions. However, as the weather wreaks havoc with the fixture lists, pupils also have an opportunity to excel in several indoor activities as well as the major team sports…

Basketball

In basketball the year 8, 9, 10 and 11 teams started their county league campaigns. Having won the competitions last year there were no real surprises that year 9 and 11 began the competition by winning all of their fixtures with an excellent chance of progressing through to the final stages, whilst perhaps the biggest change of fortune came in the year 10 who, having failed to win a single match in the previous 2 seasons, produced winning back to back displays against both Porthcawl and Llantwit Major. Coach Hutton has praised Year 10 boys saying ‘in the past couple of seasons we haven’t really played as a team, but so far the superb team ethic has been the catalyst for good performances.’

Badminton

Sophia Gardens hosted the County Doubles Championships in which we had 18 entrants in all age groups. There were several notable performances, the Spurrier brothers, Thomas and Anthony were eliminated at the semi-final stage (Years 11-13), but Curtis Fowler and Carys Hill (Bryn Hafren) went one step further in the mixed doubles reaching the final and then managed to win to claim first place.

Cross Country

The wind and the rain failed to deter our cross country team who recently competed in the combined league fixture and county championships at Leckwith. Notable performances from our Year 8 and 9 team included Ryan Newman (2nd), Cieran Thomas (12th), David Lakin (17th), Chris Riggot (28th), Sam Adamson (29th) and Kyle Taylor (66th).

Football

The U18 football team are another group who have managed to galvanise themselves as a team and grind out results. Whitchurch were the latest team to be beaten and although Barry struggled over the finish line in a 4-3 victory, a place in the semi-final was secured. After the match Mr Ingle said ‘the boys showed true guts and determination to grind out such a vital victory’.

Rugby

The yr 7 and 10 teams are both through to the semi-finals of the Vale Cup after victories against Stanwell and Bro Morgannwg respectively, whilst the senior team, led by Coach Manley, recently beat Ystrad Mynach College in the U18 plate cup competition, as well as registering successes in the midweek league fixtures. Asked about their success Mr Manley spoke of ‘focussing for eighty minutes’ as being the key to their recent turnaround.

Cardiff Blues Coaching Day

Recently the Yr8 rugby squad were invited to rub shoulders with their rugby heroes in a Cardiff Blues Coaching in the Community day held at Sully RFC. The boys were put through their paces by the Blues playing squad including such international stars as Jonah Lomu, Tom Shanklin and Rhys Williams. Mr Williams remarked ‘It was a great day, the boys couldn’t believe their luck, being given the opportunity to play alongside the stars’. The day ended with the boys having autographs signed and photographs with the players.

MH