Pentrych (22) 37 Penarth (8) 15

There are several conclusions we can draw from this bizarre, chaotic fixture which probably ends Penarth's serious interest in this season's Bowl competition.

To start with, we can only wonder at the Seasiders' strength in depth, as many familiar names were missing from this match day squad and the total number featuring in the four games so far this season reaches 52.

Pentyrch clearly fancied their chances and Penarth took some time to get going, conceding an early try after a scrum penalty was tapped and left wing Robbie Thomas scored on the overlap. This didn't look good, but the Seasiders settled into a decent rhythm and it wasn't until the closing stages of the match that Pentyrch were able to take the game away from them. After nearly pulling off an equalising try, the visitors then converted a 25 metre penalty to make the score 5-3.

Then the match was held up for several minutes as Josh Hurley was taken off with a serious-looking injury, being replaced by Ellis Shewring. The delay did Penarth's concentration no good at all, as Pentrych scored again. Outside-half Morgan Hayward winning the foot race from a chip ahead.

Some cracks in the Seasiders' defence were beginning to show and this was to play no small part in allowing the hosts to run in so many tries. That's not to say that Penarth were lacking elsewhere, as a lovely grubber from James Docherty was caught on the bounce by George Roberts, but only resulted in a penalty. This was tapped and worked neatly out to the wing, where Tom Griffiths grounded to bring the score back to 10-8.

The next Penarth attack foundered as a chip ahead was picked off by the home outside centre, who waltzed through several tackles before feeding his supporting flanker for the third try. It seemed that in a game that was otherwise evenly contested, as soon as Pentyrch got any forward momentum, the Penarth defence simply fell away. The fourth try, on the stroke of half-time, was a repeat of the first, as the right wing outpaced the cover to score in the corner.

Half-time: 22-8

After a few gentle encouraging words from the coaching staff, the Seasiders began the second half in a much brighter mood. Docherty nailed an inch-perfect penalty on to the home 5 metre line and Spencer Robinson darted over from the line-out. But for the next 25 minutes, confusion reigned as the score remained stuck on 22-15. Docherty retired injured, to be replaced by a third scrum-half in Aled Rees, resulting in a further re-jig for the back line.

The referee was also getting increasingly involved in proceedings, which wasn't helping either side. A lengthy discussion over a penalty awarded to Penarth resulted in a reversal and the hosts capitalised immediately with a fifth try in the corner.

The Seasiders didn't exactly give up after this, but further injuries seriously hampered their effectiveness and Pentrych were able to run in two late tries to seal the deal. It has to be said that most players turned in fine individual performances (special mention here for Lloyd Clarke's for total commitment to the cause), but as a team they found there was just too much to deal with on the day.

PENARTH:

Friday 17th September 2021

Athletic Field, Lavernock Road, Penarth CF64 3PA