So close but yet so far

Penarth 19-20 Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd

Another game and another near miss and unfortunately for this Penarth side whilst they were no doubt on the wrong side of some unfortunate refereeing decisions it was ultimately their own mistakes which cost them this match. Again though there were significant positives to take from this match, as well as a second consecutive losing bonus point, and this was a marked improvement from the previous weeks match.

The game could not have started any better for Penarth as Spencer Robinson fielded a long kick from the Clwb Rygbi fly half and fed the returning Nick Davenport who set off on a barnstorming run, the type of which was one of the highlights of last season. As Davenport was finally felled the ball was worked swiftly from left to right where Harry Williams showed pace and power to score out wide. A beautifully judged conversion from Morgan Smith saw Penarth establish an early 7 point with a gusty wind at their backs.

Then followed a rather bizarre passage of play deep in the Penarth half where despite the aforementioned strong wind the home side repeatedly failed to make use of the same to clear their lines. The result was that after a turnover ball a quick snipe from Clwb scrum half Mike Perry opened up a gap which flanker Deian Thomas was only happy to charge through and score under the posts to leave an easy conversion for the prodigious boot of Oli Jenkins.

A tight calf saw Elliott Smith withdraw from proceedings after 15 minutes to be replaced by birthday boy Mike Clare at number 8 and debutant Oli Burrows had 10 minutes convalescence after a bump to the head with Harrison Pugsley entering the breach temporarily. Penarth were once again totally dominant in the scrum and were winning penalties at will, albeit the referee seemed to take a dim view of much of the Seasiders other work particularly at the breakdown which was a constant source of relief for the visitors. From one such scrum penalty deep in their 22 Penarth scored an early contender for try of the season. Skipper Rhys Morgan went quickly and fed Morgan Smith who streamed through the defence before releasing speedster Robinson on the wing, three outrageous side steps and 50 metres later it looked like the young winger was going over for the try but he was pulled just inches short of the line. However, fresh from his rest Burrows was right on hand to sweep the ball off the deck and complete the formalities, although Morgan Smith was unable to add the extras from a far easier position than his first attempt. So at half time Penarth were holding a 12-7 lead.

The second half opened with Clwb exerting territorial pressure from the boots of Perry and Jenkins and with a strong wind in their faces Penarth struggled to escape. Some steady phases saw Richard Merrett make yards outside the 22 but the prop became isolated and an attempt to remove unwanted Clwb hands from the ensuing ruck saw captain Morgan rummaging around for a jumper to keep himself warm as he spent 10 minutes on the touchline. It was in this period that Clwb capitalised and ultimately won the match. Jenkins added three points for the penalty and swiftly afterwards, following what appeared to all and sundry to be a knock on by the Clwb forwards, the Penarth defence one again opened invitingly for Thomas to romp over for his second try of the match. Jenkins added the extras and a further penalty shortly after to the visitors open up an 8 point lead with 20 minutes to go.

But as with last week Penarth refused to give up and the rest of the match saw the home side relentlessly attacking the visitors line. This change in mind set is certainly one of things that coaches Matt Bolton and Tristan Davies must be pleased with as on too many occasions last season in a position like this Penarth folded all too easily. With 10 minutes to go and following a number of thwarted attacks Penarth secured a scrum 5 metres from the Clwb line. A sustained press saw the Penarth pack moving ominously towards the line, and no doubt a timely 41st birthday present for Mike Clare, when the Clwb scrum disintegrated and the referee headed straight under the posts for a penalty try.

As with last week Penarth then found themselves in great positions in the Clwb 22 only for the lineout to fail them once again. But they were not put off and some fine running from Tom Smith and James Thatcher along with some nice touches from the returning Kevin Maddox so Penarth up a potential match winning position with a penalty 5 metres from the line and 10 metres to the left of the posts. Conceding that the wind conditions were not conducive to goal kicking Penarth put their trust in the pack. However, Clwb had encountered a very timely and convenient injury to their prop forward meaning scrums would have to be passive and Penarth’s inevitable shunt to the line was thwarted before it started. Both Aaron Ellis and Nick Davenport were stopped in their tracks just inches short of the line before the referee decided that Penarth had been guilty of holding on to the ball in the ruck within in sight of the line and victory. Clwb were able to secure the ball and retain until the clock reached 80 minutes and see it off the park for victory.

Penarth will no doubt be disheartened by the manner of the defeat but there were good signs not least in terms of personnel. Seeing Ellis, Davenport and Anthony Pine back on the field gives Penarth a huge boost in the forwards whilst the continued spark provided by Robinson on the wing and Tom Smith at full back are enough to excite the home supporters. Next week sees Penarth make their first foray into the WRU bowl where they will face Division 3 East Central B side Llantwit Major, it will be the Llantwit’s second trip to Penarth in as many weeks as they were defeated in the league by the Old Pens last week.

Penarth: Richard Merrett, Ryan Jones, Alan Doyle, Nick Davenport, Anthony Pine (Aaron Ellis), Oli Burrows (Harrison Pugsley), Chris Mortimer, Elliott Smith (Mike Clare), Rhys Morgan, Morgan Smith, Spencer Robinson, Harry Wiliams (Kevin Maddox), James Thatcher, James Crothers, Tom Smith

Scorers: Harry Williams (t), Oli Burrows (t) Penalty Try, Morgan Smith (c).