Report by Ken Watkins Fifty years of donating blood, and voluntary work with a large number of organisations in the Vale, were recognised in the New year Honours list with the award of an MBE to Howard Provis. Howard, 67, a former player with Barry Rugby Club, where son Dave and grandson Tom now play, confessed he was “totally taken aback when I received the letter. You don’t know who has put your name forward.” He started donating blood in Barry at 18, joining his father Doug who was then coming up to nearly 50 donations. Since then Howard has donated every year, including his student years at college in Birmingham, where he trained as a teacher, and when he was working with the Royal Regiment of Wales in Germany. Initially he donated whole blood, with donations limited to twice a year. But at 21 he switched to a different method, and the number of donations accelerated. “Now it’s platelets and plasma donations, with your red blood cells returned to you, so you can give more frequently. As a result I gave every eight to 12 weeks. Technology and knowhow have improved, so it’s come down shorter and shorter. In the last couple of years it’s come down to every three to four weeks.” As long as he remains fit, and his blood passes various tests, Howard will continue to donate. “I often speak about the importance of giving blood. It could be me, or a family member, who needs it tomorrow.” His rugby career came to an end following a cruciate ligament injury when he was playing for Old Penarthians, so he never got play alongside his son. “I would have loved to, and it was one of my targets, but David never quite reached the age where we could.” After the injury, he went back to lacrosse, a sport he had introduced, and enjoyed, as a teacher. “I qualified as a British lacrosse coach because I wanted to understand the game more.” He also qualified as an advanced swimming teaching instructor. Howard’s earlier years as a volunteer were with St John Ambulance, where he was one of the first lifeguards on Barry Island, and rose to Officer-in-Charge of the Penarth Division. “More recently, I joined the Barry and Vale First Responder's Scheme, whose members are trained and supported by the NHS Ambulance Trust.” He is a member of Barry Rotary, the Foresters, and the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA), where he is now secretary. He joined RAFA after supporting son Dave during his time in the Air Training Corps. Dave excelled at sport, representing the ATC in swimming, athletics and rugby. The family connection with ATC was strong, Doug having been a founder member. Howard keeps an eye on defibrillators for various organisation in the area, and is passionate about their importance, feeling they should be in every workplace. “I wrote to Alun Cairns to suggest that, and then got a letter from the Welsh Office saying they would look at that as a means of strengthening health and safety regulations.”

report by Ken Watkins This was a vital, and well-deserved victory, a positive performance from Barry, after six weeks without a game, giving them a league double over Rhydyfelin, and ending a run of four straight defeats. This was, as head coach Mike Morgan said afterwards, a game that had everything. Barry falling behind, battling back to lead at half-time, falling behind again, but then scoring the late try which clinched victory. Plus a number of controversial decisions adding to the mix. Barry went into the game at a disadvantage, having not played since November 25 because of drainage problems at the Reservoir Field. But, after a difficult opening first quarter, they settled into a performance that exuded belief. As Morgan said: “We know what we can do, but there’s difference between knowing and going out there and doing it.” And, on the 4G pitch at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, against strong opposition, they produced the performance he has been looking for. “They applied everything we’ve been talking about, and that was the difference today. Played with a lot of heart and a lot of soul,” he said. “I know that sounds a little cheesy, but that’s where you win a rugby game. In any contact game you have to have heart and soul, and the rest will fall into place.” Rhydyfelin took a third minute lead with a David Gratton penalty, and benefited from missed tackles to add a try by Adam Baker in the 16th minute, which Gratton converted. But Barry responded in the 22nd minute, Dafydd Jones making the initial break, and Danny Ryan, on his 300th first team appearance, rounding off the move with a try, Einan Scott converting. And as Barry took control of the game, Scott added penalties in the 28th and 40th minutes for a 13-10 interval lead. Gratton tied the scores in the 43rd minute with a penalty, and Chris Tottle intercepted a pass and chipped the defence before racing away to score in the 50th minute, Gratton converting. Barry battled back, and arguably should have had two penalty tries as Rhydyfelin conceded several penalties in the red zone. But the visitors somehow got away with just one yellow card. Scott cut the lead with a 74th minute penalty, and as the clock ticked down, James Walsh ended a spell of Barry pressure by driving over. Scott converted, and Barry then controlled play during injury time, celebrating in style as they ran out worthy winners.

A guard of honour from his teammates greeted Danny Ryan and daughters Paige and Ffion on Saturday, to mark his 300th first team appearance for Barry RFC. On what turned out to be a perfect day, Danny scored the first of the team’s two tries as the Bombers beat Rhydyfelin 23-20. Danny made his first team debut in October 2007. “I wanted to get to 300 earlier, but Covid and a big injury delayed it. I finally got over the line, and I’m buzzing,” he said. “Hopefully now I can just enjoy the rest of the season.” The magic figure was further delayed by pitch problems at the Reservoir Field. Appearance 299 came on November 25, and Barry then went six weeks without a game before returning to action on the 4G pitch at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg. “It’s an honour to join some of the boys who have achieved this at the club,” he said. “Alyn Evans will get to this in a couple of games. That’ll be good as I’ve played my whole career with him.”

Tickets for this year's Wobbles and Gobbles event are now available for purchase. You can secure your tickets through various convenient methods: online via http://links.barryrugby.club/w&G, the KLUB APP, or directly at the club using the KPOS system. Alternatively, paper tickets can also be purchased on-site. Don't miss out on this opportunity to join the fun!

Hey there, fellow jackpot enthusiasts! The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here – it's time for this week's Front Row Lotto draw! Gather your lucky charms, lucky socks, and lucky snacks – because tonight's the night dreams could turn into reality. Will your lucky numbers align with destiny? Will you be the one to claim the dazzling jackpot? There's only one way to find out – by joining us for the electrifying draw! See you at 7:30 PM sharp – let the Front Row Lotto draw begin! 🌟🍀

It is with sadness that we have to announce, that Ben, our resident chef at the Ruck and his team, will be leaving from the beginning on May. Ben's departure from Barry RFC has come as a great shock to many of us. It was no secret that Ben had been an instrumental member of our team, and his contributions developing the Ruck were greatly appreciated by everyone. His dedication to the club, improving the offering to all our players and visitors has been an envy to many a club. The quality of food and support to our Warm Hub visitors will surely be missed. Ben will still be around the club, supporting our Rugby at the sidelines rather than the kitchen. We wish Ben all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his many contributions to our team. He will always be remembered as an integral part of the Barry RFC family. As we now look to the future, we will be announcing exciting changes over the next few days.

This weekend is the Six Nations Super Saturday. This will be a great day at the club, join us for all the fun.