Match Report

SEASIDERS’ BIG COMEBACK

ST PETERS 11 PENARTH 17 – Saturday 1 October 2016

Having lost the previous three games, the Seasiders were facing a daunting task against undefeated St.Peters at Minster Road, where they’ve struggled in recent seasons. As it turned out, all they needed was an injection of confidence, as they proceeded to take the Rocks apart up front, coming away with a win that was more decisive than the scoreline suggests.

The first quarter was evenly contested, although it was clear that Penarth were giving nothing away in the tackle, but the scrum was to prove critical. On 25 minutes a blistering counterattack led by the outstanding Dylan Hansen, who weaved his way through the St.Peter’s defence, saw Penarth moving within inches of the “Rocks” line. Paul Collett, arrived in hot pursuit going over for the first try of the match, putting the Seasiders ahead 5-0.

Their confidence should have taken a hit as Scott Mackie departed with a red card soon afterwards, but someone’s waved a magic wand over this squad, as it simply didn’t happen. Penarth continued to dominate the play for the remainder of the half as the Rocks could find no answer to the power of the visitors’ scrum and the score remained at 0-5 when half-time arrived.

In the second half, with nether side having made any adjustments, nothing changed as the Seasiders 14 men easily contained any threat the St.Peters could offer. A rare excursion into the visitors’ half finally brought a score as Ed Poynter converted a penalty after 50 minutes, but having seen their lead reduced to two points, Penarth lost no time in moving further ahead. This time it was a brilliant effort by Alex Thau, receiving the ball in the wing channel and beating three defenders to score near the posts.

For some reason it continued to prove difficult to hold on to a lead and Rocks’ lock Arturs Kozels was allowed in for a try with 15 minutes left, reducing the lead to two points again at 8-10. More tries should have followed, as play surged back and forth, with the Seasiders continuing to hold the upper hand, but with three minutes left on the clock, St.Peters looked for all the world as if they were going to pull off an unlikely win.

Penarth conceded a penalty on their own 10m line and Poynter converted to put his side into the lead for the first time, 11-10.

This is where composure and confidence come into play and the Penarth 14 didn’t allow their heads to drop this time. Far from it, as they gained a penalty from the restart, which replacement outside-half James Docherty drilled into touch. The line-out was driven hard for the line and despite lengthy St.Peters resistance, it was Elliott Smith who came up with the goods with the winning try right on full time.

All credit to the players and coaching staff, as the Penarth squad finally showed everyone what they’re capable of. League rugby returns a week later, but this coming Saturday, the Seasiders welcome Division 1 (East Central) Rhiwbina to the Athletic Field for a Round One Plate tie. The north Cardiff club have made a similar start to the season, having won two and lost three.

PENARTH Tom Smith, Paul Collett, Dylan Hansen, Tom Luck, James Crothers, Adam Lewis (James Docherty), Gareth Mathias (Rhys Morgan), Richard Merrett, Mason Good, Alan Doyle, Owain Thomas, (Jerome Bryan), Anthony Pine, Scott Mackie, Elliott Smith, Alex Thau

Scorers: Paul Collett, Alex Thau, Elliott Smith (tries), James Docherty (conv.)

Welsh National Plate

Saturday 8th October 2016

PENARTH v Rhiwbina

The Athletic Field, Lavernock Road

Kick-off 2.30pm