Saturday 30 March 2013
WHEN a team takes to the park with only 14 men and no replacements against a top-ofthe- table side on their own patch, the outcome is entirely predictable; and so it was with Penarth Rugby Club on Saturday.
An extensive list of players unavailable meant that the 14 dependables included a flanker in the second row, two scrum halves at flanker, a coach at No 8, his co-coach at outside half, a wing in the centre and no left wing at all.
With this stack of disadvantages, the faithful few may have been excused for just going through the motions.
Far from it; such was the effort and enterprise from this makeshift crew that one of the two leading sides in the division threw everything at them and failed totally to break their defence for over a half hour.
More impressively, when the break came, it was not the home side but Penarth who crossed the line. The conditions were chilly but otherwise excellent and Pontyclun set about the business of demonstrating their skills which are not inconsiderable.
The tackling of the visitors, however, was well up to the challenge and the James’s, Crothers and Candy, mowed down attempts to exploit gaps, with Rhys Morgan mopping up anyone who broke through the first line.
Up front the picture was the same, with Richard Merrett and Joe Page gobbling up ball and ball carrier with glee.
A most useful further tactic was the relieving kick which Paul Williams applied, showing the merit of a wise head in recovering territory under pressure.
It was not simply defence.
Once Penarth has settled into a rhythm and shape, they discovered that the home side were vulnerable to the pick and drive. With Richard Ball delivering consistent line out possession, the pack were able to do some effective trundling up the park. This presented comfortable ball for Gareth Clancy to release the backs so that Henry Mitchell wide out was all but through before last-ditch defence prevented the score.
This inspired confidence and, from another clean line out take by Ball, a maul was set up and Pontyclun were forced into infringing.
Penarth ignored the kicking option and opted for a repeat dose; Ball duly obliged securing the line out and such was the combined pressure from the front eight that Pontyclun could not resist. So, on 31 minutes and against all the odds, the Penarth 14 took a 5–0 lead.
The spectre of an ignominious home defeat spurred the home side to an all out effort.
Despite sterling efforts in the Penarth defence they could not halt a mazy run from Ben Davies at scrum half. Then, just on the stroke of half time, there was a second home try followed by a penalty.
Despite total commitment Penarth went in 24-5 down at half time.
The story of the second half did include the inevitable consequences for a side tiring with the effort of covering for a missing player. Gaps were bound to open up as Pontyclun opted more for the running and handling game. Thus there were further tries by the home scrum half Davies again, wing Davies and centre McTaggart.
But, to their great credit, Penarth never gave up and telling short breaks from Chris Mortimer, Rhys Morgan and Owain George gained valuable territory. Ball continued his 100% record in the line out and the whole pack showed admirable patience and application putting the ball through phase after phase, with Merrett being the man in possession when the line became close enough for the referee to award them a further five points.
Pontyclun rounded off the day with further tries but this should in no way detract from the wholehearted endeavour shown by Penarth.
Yes, the defeat was conclusive, but in the circumstances every man in a Penarth shirt can be proud.
Avoiding the points penalty of failing to fulfil a fixture is a tangible reward necessary in consolidating the club’s position above the relegation zone.
Next Saturday is a mouthwatering home fixture against the other leading club, Dowlais. It promises to be a cracker.
