DOMINANT SEASIDERS SEE OFF LOCAL RIVALS
BARRY 9 PENARTH 25 – Saturday 12 September 2015
The first Vale derby of this season duly arrived last Saturday as Barry welcomed Penarth back to the undeniably picturesque Reservoir Field just eight years after the last meeting between the clubs.
The Seasiders started positively with a stiff breeze at their backs as a Merrett-led pack demolished their opponents in the first scrum of the game and James Docherty potted three points. This pattern in the scrums was to continue for the rest of the game and, in the remainder of a messy first half, the same effect was observed in the mauls.
Unfortunately, if you have the upper hand up front, you’re largely dependent on the referee’s response and a string of penalties is no use to you if you don’t kick them. Of course, the temptation will always be to assume that one more push will inevitably lead to a well-deserved try and this pretty well explains why the score was still 0-3 after 39 minutes.
Despite the referee’s obvious preference for awarding penalty after penalty instead of handing out yellow cards, the search for a pushover try continued and was finally rewarded as Scot Mackie went over just before half-time. The first period came to a close as the Barry front row popped up for the umpteenth time, only for the referee to penalise Penarth for not scrummaging straight! Outside-half Einan Scott slotted over the penalty against the wind and the sides turned around with the Seasiders leading 10-3, but losing scrum-half Gareth Mathias, who was injured in the last passage of play.
Now Barry had the wind advantage and while we waited to see how the Seasiders would solve the puzzle of turning their dominance in the tight into points, Scott converted another couple of penalties to reduce the arrears to a single point with 30 minutes to go.
To be fair to Penarth, Barry never ever looked as if they were going to score any tries, but the indefatigable Scott looked a sure bet to convert every penalty and with the wind at his back, there was real concern that this would be enough to swing the game. This was no time for travelling supporters of a nervous disposition.
No change to the Seasiders’ tactics, then, as they continued to push the Barry eight around the park, but everything changed abruptly on the hour as the referee finally (and inexplicably) woke up to what was going on and somewhat belatedly started dealing out the yellow cards.
No change to the Seasiders’ tactics, then. Until four minutes from time that is, when they finally decided to risk a kick at the posts and Docherty mercifully stretched the lead to four points. With time running out, the Seasiders went for one last line-out drive and lock Craig Llewelyn departed with a yellow card for his rather obvious part in pulling the maul down. Much pressure on the home line yet again from Penarth, but this time they were able to make the numbers count as the defence was pulled across far enough for a smart pass to allow Ben Donovan in at the corner.
With the Seasiders still leading 18-9 in injury time, Docherty was first a bouncing ball in his own half and hacked ahead. Although Barry regained possession, they were under such pressure that a pass inside ended up in the hands of Nathan Smith, who ran 40 metres to score under the posts.
The final score was an accurate reflection of Penarth’s dominance, but they really should have put the game beyond Barry’s reach much earlier. The win leaves the undefeated Seasiders second in the league behind Porth Harlequins.
Next Saturday Penarth welcome Pontyclun to the Athletic Field.
PENARTH Rhys Morgan, Mike Gubb (James Crothers), Adam Lewis, Nathan Smith, Ben Donovan, James Docherty, Gareth Mathias (Tom Smith), Richard Merrett, Mason Good (Joe Page), Sean O’Sullivan (Alan Doyle), Stuart Clarke (Matt Allen), Richard Howells, Scot Mackie [c], Alex Thau.
Scorers: Mackie, Donovan, N.Smith (tries), Docherty 2C, 2P
SWALEC League Division 2 East Central
Saturday 19th September 2015
PENARTH v Pontyclun
Athletic Field, Lavernock Road
Kick-off 2.30pm
