Beynon steals the limelight is sensational first win
Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd RFC 23-46 Penarth RFC (HT 13-22)
For all intents and purposes this satisfying seven-try win against arch-rivals Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd could define the Penarth RFC campaign in Division 3A of the WRU leagues this season. It arrived after a heart-breaking series of six consecutive defeats, during a period of uncertainty following the relegation from Division Two, beset by absenteeism, injury worries and a feverish rebuilding campaign.
A look at the Division 3A League table would probably help to better understand the predicament of the Seasiders, as the stats reveal the paradox with the season grinding to a halt until November the 10th. After seven matches, Penarth are 9th in the Division 3A table, though they scored more points (176) and more tries (26 – equal with leaders Cowbridge) than any other team. That reveals a tremendous attacking potential, unfortunately unmatched by the poor defence – with the Seasiders also top the table for most tries (31) and most points (232) conceded.
Credit to head-coach Matthew Bolton and his assistant Tristan Davies, captain Rhys Morgan and vice-Captain Chris Mortimer nobody hit the panic button, as the club seemed reasonably well-equipped to turn the corner. It is a fact of life that it is far more difficult to instil attacking flair and creativity in a rugby team, than train defensive skills and patterns. This is valid both individually and for the team as a whole. With the Penarth attacking potential duly displayed during the previous six matches in which they scored 19 tries for three bonus points, this was what Bolton and Davies had to address during a two-hour defence pummelling session the previous Thursday, which provided the ground work for Saturday’s proficient defensive effort.
It was indeed a satisfying turning point in the recent history of the club, to see the opposition backs running aimlessly across the field in search of that elusive gap, which never opened. Penarth defended boldly, with the new-look back row of Chris Mortimer at No8, skipper Rhys Morgan (replaced after half time by Jack Hughes) on the blind side and newcomer Alex Rigby at No7 making a nuisance of themselves. The front five of Harrison Pugsley, Alan Doyle, Sean O’Sullivan, Dan Seal and Andy Lang and Richard Merrett and James Docherty after the break, impacted massively, both in defence and attack, though it is quite clear that there is still work to be done. One of the mysteries of this thoroughly entertaining match, was the way in which the match official seemed oblivious to the overwhelming superiority of the Penarth pack, who obliterated the Clwb eight at every engagement in every scrum.
After each Clwb Rygbi attack, the way Penarth defenders realigned themselves to be able to withstand the next attack was one of the keys to an otherwise sound performance. The back three, Tom Smith, Ben Hill and Aaron Thomas tackled their hearts out and contributed mightily to the attack efforts, though the veracity of about half of the 23 Clwb Rygbi points, including a couple of penalties and an astonishing penalty try, remains highly unconvincing. The beauty of it all is that there is still room for improvement as the Penarth players get increasingly accustomed to the defensive skills and work together to perfect them. They will have an opportunity to prove their point on November the 10th, when the League programme resumes in full with a home match against Penygraig.
Overall this was probably one of the most enjoyable matches played this season, with the two sides giving their best to secure the win. As coach Bolton observed after the match, “This was an important match for both relegated clubs, not only for championship points, but also an attempt to rebuild their confidence for the next rounds.” This is probably why, despite the mounting score, Clwb Rygbi returned to attack with a vengeance every time and must be given credit for their incessant belief, translated into a relentless pressure applied on the Penarth line. Presumably the consistency of the Penarth defensive effort has taken them by surprise, not to mention the speed the turnover ball was recycled into attack and then scoring opportunities.
The key factor in this beautifully choreographed metamorphosis was the speedy service of scrum-half Spencer Robinson, whose pace and accurate delivery have impressed the pundits. His partner, veteran fly-half Kevin Maddox, at his third campaign with Penarth, benefited greatly from Robinson’s quick service, producing a masterclass of outside-half distribution and control. As he moved the ball quickly and with address to other side, the quick-witted men outside responded in kind, unleashing blistering counterattacks, in which both the ‘Man of the Match’ Rhys Beynon and his centre partner Owain Lord played their part. Between them the two centres scored four of the seven tries, a hat-trick by the effervescent Beynon and one by the polished Lord, who is playing better than ever. Two other tries were signed off by Ben Hill, who in addition to his newly discovered appetite for try-scoring has produced together with the other wing Aaron Thomas, (and then his replacement James Crothers) an impressive defensive effort. The seventh try, in fact the first to be scored chronologically, was signed off by tight-head prop Alan Doyle, the anchor of Penarth scrummage, who has had a storming game overall, unstoppable in the loose and menacingly dominant in the tight. A confident and influential fullback Tom Smith added one penalty and four conversions from a variety of angles, to reach the final figure of 46 points scored.
PENARTH – Tom Smith, Aaron Thomas, (James Crothers), Owain Lord, Rhys Beynon, Ben Hill, Kevin Maddox, Spencer Robinson, Harrison Pugsley (Richard Merrett), Sean O’Sullivan (James Docherty), Alan Doyle, Dan Seal, Andy Lane, Rhys Morgan (captain) (Jack Hughes) Alex Rigby, Chris Mortimer
Scorers – Doyle (t), Lord (t), Hill (2t), Beynon (3t) T.Smith (4c 1p)
