Penarth 19-21 Pontyclun (HT 7-18)

After the chastening defeat away to Llanharan in their last game Saturday saw Penarth play their first home game of the season looking to bounce back against divisional rivals Pontyclun. Unfortunately, despite a much improved performance, a sloppy first half display and a lack of discipline ultimately cost the Seasiders victory as they came up just two points short.

The game was a cagey affair in the opening stages with both sides feeling the other out and showing some willingness to spread the ball in beautiful, if not a bit breezy conditions.

Penarth made some inroads into the visitors half with the wind behind their backs but from a line out deep in their own half the Badgers launched a slick move which caught the Seasiders short in midfield and saw their right winger cross for the opening score.

Penarth reacted well and took the game to Pontyclun setting up camp in the opponents half and exerting serious pressure, particularly in the set piece which was functioning far more efficiently than in their previous match. However, Pontyclun showed how dangerous they were with another break from deep which looked sure to result in a try but for the final pass going to ground with their centre clear for a run in under the posts.

Not to be deterred Penarth stuck to the task and got their reward after a period of sustained pressure saw Owen Lloyd break off the back of a scrum to feed the ever alert Spencer Robinson who darted through the defensive line to score out wide with Andy Richards adding the extras to level the scores at 7-7.

The remainder of the first half however was an indication of where Penarth desperately need to improve and that is in the area of discipline. A number of mis-demeanours were picked up by the referee and the Pontyclun kicker was in no mood to let Penarth off the hook slotting two penalties to re-establish the lead.

The decisive moment in the game, as it turned out, came just before half time as Penarth squandered possession inside the Pontyclun half and the visiting side broke loose, Penarth regained possession only to kick it away again and there then followed a bizarre run of play where the ball was juggled, kicked, blocked, hacked on and finally Pontyclun winning the race to the ball and the line to score a try and leave themselves 7-18 up at half time.

Whilst Penarth's efforts in the second half were not quite enough to win the game the display they put on will certainly be a consolation to the coaching team who watched on their side dominated proceedings, although not initially affecting the scoreboard. When the inevitable score did come, with 20 minutes to play, it was somewhat of a throwback as the pack converted a 5 metre lineout into an irresistible rolling maul and eventually a try for second row Cameron Sultana.

Unfortunately Penarth failed to clear their lines from the resultant kick off and having handed over possession on their own 22 then compounded the problem by conceding a penalty right under the posts allowing Pontyclun to open a 9 point gap.

Penarth pressed on and finally got their rewards with yet another dominant lineout catch and drive which saw Sultana add a second try on the full time whistle to leave Penarth agonisingly short with a final score of 19-21.

PENARTH: Rhys Morgan ©, George Roberts, Andy Richards, Chris Mortimer (Danny Davidson), James Crothers, Kevin Maddox, Spencer Robinson (Ellis Shewring), Harry Wood, Liam Richards (Luke Ellis), Cam Sultana, Ben Heywood, Josh Spragg (Geraint Williams), Miles Jones, Owen Lloyd (Andy Lang).

Penarth Athletic 5-54 Cardiff Met IV

The first game of the season for the Athletic XV was a tough one after original opponents St Josephs pulled out on Thursday night to be replaced with the young enthusiastic Cardiff Met IV team. Whilst the Athletic were able to hold their own in the set piece and the tighter

aspects of the game the speed and skill of the students was clear for all to see and they ran in 8 tries in total with only a solitary one from Penarth courtesy of Aled Rees.

Penarth Athletic Squad: Sam Harries, Rob Rees, Sam Davies, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Ellis, Josh Barden, Gruff Shewring, Jack Thomas, Aled Rees, Tom Parkinson, AJ Jones, Jack Peterson, Sean O'Sullivan, Elliott Smith, James Coslett, Geraint Evans

Regardless of the result it was great to two sides back out on the pitch and it was a shame that Poole had to cancel the match against the Vets which would have seen Penarth fielding 3 teams on one day for the first time in many many years.

Next weekend sees the 1st XV travel to Pentyrch in the Bowl needing a win to keep their hopes of progressing alive, while the Athletic host Old Illtydians II in the Ron Lucock Cup.