SPECIAL SEASON ENDS WITH CUP SUCCESS

Penarth 34-12 Llanharan (HT 15-7)

Monday night saw Penarth turn out for their final fixture of this record breaking season as they won the final of the Malcolm Thomas Cup against old foes Llanharan. It was a fitting result against fitting opposition and there is no little pride in capturing a trophy named in honour of one of Penarth, and the East Districts, finest servants.

Whilst there were a number of faces missing on both sides from April’s titantic effort at the Athletic Field, what unfolded was a fine game of fast flowing rugby on a glorious summers evening. In truth it appeared from the outset that Penarth’s XV was superior to the Dairymen’s outfit, a tribute to the Seasiders strength in depth, and as the game went on Penarth’s dominance became more and more apparent.

The first try came following a period of Penarth pressure which resulted in a lineout in the left corner of the Llanharan 22. A clean catch and efficient drive saw Sam Sully take the opening score. The second try was indicative of the way Penarth have played all season, with some neat handling amongst the forwards making space down the left flank before Rhys Morgan, in at fly half, fired a long pass to Jimmy Crothers, captaining the side on his 404^th appearance for the club, who drew the man and set George Roberts off to the try line for his 18^th try of the season.

Just before half time Llanharan finally managed to get some territory and worked their way into the Penarth 22 from where a series of short range attacks finally saw them bundle over for their opening score. Penarth managed to find time for a response as they reclaimed the kick off and set off down the left hand side once again. This time Morgan opted for a longer pass to full back Joe Roberts who made light work of the covering defence to score a fine try and give Penarth a 15-7 half time lead.

The fitness of the Penarth forwards in particular constantly kept Llanharan on the back foot with the back 5 of Cam Sultana, Matt Allen, Mike Lang, Sam Davies and James Coslett to the fore at the breakdown whilst the dancing props Harry Wood and Sam Sully were doing their usual un-proppy things in the wide channels.

The start of the second half saw the best score of the day as another great piece of work from the forwards saw Penarth take possession inside their own half and move it wide, Morgan found Osian Coates who wriggled free to offload to Crothers who set Leon Appiah loose on the wing. Appiah needed no second invitation and with fully 50 metres to go beat three defenders on the way to an outstanding try worthy of any final.

Llanharan to their credit did not give up and managed another score of their own to make it 20-12 after 50 minutes but that was as close as they got. The game then entered a bit of stodgy period as both sides rang the changes and lost some of their continuity.

But when the new faces settled, including the returning James Candy making his seasonal debut after a frustrating period sidelined by injury, Penarth found an extra gear in the final 10 minutes. First Matt Allen powered over from short range before he then showed his handling skills as he burst through a tackle on the 22 and produced a beautiful off-load to Mike Lang who opened his legs to score the final try of this game and this season. Owen Rees added the extras on both occasions as Penarth ran out 34-12 winners.

Penarth: Harry Wood (Rhys Newman), Mason Good (Tom Griffiths), Sam Sully (Ryan Jones), Cam Sultana, Matt Allen, Mike Lang, Sam Davies (Owen Evans), James Coslett, Owen Rees, Rhys Morgan, Leon Appiah, Osian Coates, James Crothers, George Roberts (Harry Williams), Joe Roberts (James Candy)

Scorers: S. Sully (try), G. Roberts (try), J. Roberts (try), L. Appiah (try), M. Allen (try), M. Lang (try), O. Rees (2 con, pen)

TITLE CHARGE CONTINUES

Tylorstown 12-39 Penarth (HT 7-29)

After the previous weeks nervy nail-biting affair away to Canton last Saturday saw a real return to form for Penarth as they put 7 tries past Tylorstown to record a convincing victory in the sunshine at Penrhys Park.

With a bus full of supporters in tow Penarth put on an exhibition of running rugby and would surely have scored more points had the referee not elected to put the home side out of their misery with nearly 10 minutes left on the clock. As it was Penarth maintained their four point lead over Llanharan at the top of the table as their title chase nears its conclusion.

The opening exchanges of the match were competitive enough and Tylorstown got the first advantage as veteran Penarth winger James Crothers was shown a harsh yellow card for a high tackle. Instead of the homes side making the most of the extra man it was Penarth who turned on the style. The first try came from captain Spencer Robinson who reacted quickly to the grant of a penalty inside the Tylorstown 22 and was too quick and strong for the home defence.

Cam Sultana had a try ruled out after he was adjudged to have put his foot in touch after a rampaging break from the returning Alex Thau. However, justice was soon done as from the resulting lineout Harry Williams fielded a long kick and spread the ball wide to George Roberts who beat two men before feeding Andy Richards who popped the ball back to Roberts to complete a fine score.

Robinson collected his second shortly after as a well worked lineout move saw Bradman Williams break the line before off loading to Robinsons for an easy score. And then only after this did Penarth go back to 15 men! And Robinson completed a 9 minute hattrick with the next play as Roberts intercepted a loose pass and made it deep into the home 22 before Robinson sniped round the fringe to scamper under the posts which James Docherty finally converted for a 22-0 lead. Tylorstown must be sick of the sight of the Penarth skipper this season as that was his 7^th try against them in 3 games!

With the bonus point secured and the game only heading in one direction there was a feeling that the home side may have started getting the rub of the green, but it didn’t help them much as Penarth scored the try of the game just after the half hour mark. Another great lineout got the backs moving and Docherty fed Crothers who threw a gorgeous miss pass to Roberts who broke the line again. With the final defender approaching Roberts had the presence of mind to put through a perfectly weighted grubber kick which Harry Williams followed up to score under the posts.

There then followed Tylorstown’s best 5 minutes of the game, which coincided with Penarth receiving two yellow cards and being reduced to 13 men, one for Alex Thau for a ruck infringement and one for Cam Sultana following a string of Penarth penalties in their own 22, which also resulted in the home side scoring their first points of the day as they bundled it over from close range.

The home side started the second half with the same two man advantage and managed to capitalise after 5 minutes as a loose Harry Williams kick gave Tylorstown the opportunity to counter and when they sent a long kick over the top it was a foot race between Docherty and the home centre. Looking every one of his 40 years Docherty conceded a 15 yard headstart as he was caught on the line and the ref adjudged that the home player got the touchdown.

But as Penarth returned to a full compliment normal service was resumed and it was Thau who collected two tries to put the game beyond any reasonable doubt. Penarth rang the changes with 20 minutes to go as the bench emptied, even seeing an appearance from Chairman Sean O’Sullivan at prop. Whilst Penarth remained comfortably on top another score was not to come as the game got increasingly scrappy and frustrating, none more so than when the referee brought a halt to proceedings 10 minutes from time.

Penarth’s final league game, in what has been a record breaking season to date, is away at third placed Pentyrch next weekend. Whilst the title is out of their hands, with Llanharan having a game in hand in which they could sneak past Penarth, a 20^th win of the season would be a fitting reward for what has been a truly outstanding effort by all involved at the club. For those wishing to come and watch the final game please note that it is a 1.30pm kick off at Pentyrch.

Penarth: Geraint Williams (Sean O’Sullivan), Bradman Williams, Sam Sully, Cam Sultana, Matt Allen (Dan Calahane), Tom Griffiths (Tom Marsh), Alex Thau, Spencer Robinson (Osian Phillips), James Docherty (Rhys Morgan), James Crothers, Osian Coates, Andy Richards, George Roberts, Harry Williams

Scorers: S Robinson (3 tries), A Thau (2 tries), G Roberts (try), H Williams (try) J Docherty (2 con)

SEASIDERS SCRAPE THROUGH

Canton 29-30 Penarth (HT 10-15)

After every great night there tends to follow a painful day to forget, and that was certainly true of Penarth’s trip to Canton on Saturday. The physical and mental hangover from Wednesday nights epic win against Llanharan was clear to see as Penarth laboured to a fortunate win over a dogged and relentless Canton side that was reduced to 14 men for the last 25 minutes.

It all started well Penarth as James Crothers scored an early try after the forwards had conducted a demolition job on Canton’s scrum. The opening 15 minutes looked like being a case of when not if Penarth would chalk up their tries to record a handsome victory but simple errors and dogged defending meant that they were not able to extend their lead.

After an initial warning of two missed penalties from the Canton centre were not heeded Penarth first found themselves level and very soon after behind as Canton capitalised on lackadaisical defending to twice crash over from close range through their big forwards.

A Josh Hurley penalty settled the Penarth nerves and it was Hurley who sparked Penarth back into the lead as he collected a loose ball and beat three defenders before sending Spencer Robinson clear up the left touchline where he drew last man and fed Josh Powell who beat the last man and went in under the posts.

So at half time Penarth were ahead and it appeared that Canton’s moment had passed. But that was far from the truth. The game lacked any flow due to both sides completely failing to work to the referees instructions, despite the several long explanations from the man in the middle. As a result both sides saw two men spend time in the sin-bin which if nothing else opened the game up a little bit.

It was Canton who struck the opening blows in the second scoring from deep inside their 22 after an ambitious counter attack and then followed up straight from the kick off as their rangy second row strolled straight through the Penarth defence before a neat off-load saw fly half Dafydd Manley cross for his sides fourth try, both tries he also converted.

Now Penarth had a problem, 24-15 down and looking out on their feet against a side brimming with confidence. The answer to Penarth’s prayers was to arrive from the bench in the form of tighthead Sam Sully. After making one scintillating break from in his own half the fleet footed front row forward was at it again as he found himself in space on the right wing deep in his own 22, whist most props would shake at the thought he simply sidestepped the first man and burst down the wing. When he was finally caught on the Canton 10m line he had the presence of mind to loop an offload to the on charging Cam Sultana who opened his legs and showed his class as he romped in under the posts.

With their tails up Penarth were soon back for more and Hurley kicked another penalty to give them the lead. Canton would not give up though and were happy to attack from anywhere, which lead to their ultimate downfall. A speculative chip and chase from the home fly-half was too long and Hurley collected it comfortably before beating his man and giving Powell a chance to burst down the left wing and over the line to extend the Seasiders lead to 6pts and provide the much needed bonus point.

With 5 minutes left and Canton down to 14 men, you’d have been forgiven for thinking that the match was won. But alas no! Canton came roaring back and managed to crash over out wide to make it a 1pt game. Fortunately for Penarth Manley’s kicking boots had not been packed and the conversion slid wide. There was still time for Canton to have one more crack, but as the ball moved wide it was fumbled and Andy Richards swooped into collect and the game was done.

Whilst it did nothing for the heart-rate, combined with Fairwater’s losses to Clwb Rygbi in midweek and St Albans on Saturday, it did mean that Penarth place in the top three is now confirmed and with it promotion to Division 2 East Central for next season.

Next weekend sees a trip to Tylorstown for what should surely be a more comfortable victory against a side that have somewhat lost their way this term before what promises to be a potential title decider against Pentyrch on 6^th May.

Penarth: Geraint Williams, Bradman Williams, Ryan Jones (Sam Sully), Cam Sultana, Andy Lang, Tom Griffiths, Tom Marsh (Rhys Morgan), Owen Lloyd (Mason Good), Spencer Robinson, James Docherty, Josh Powell, Osian Coates, Andy Richards, James Crothers, Josh Hurley

Scorers: J Powell (2 tries), J Crothers (try), C Sultana (try) J Hurley (2 con, 2 pen)

Fun in the sun for Seasiders

Big win puts Penarth on the brink of promotion

Penarth 55-19 Clwb Rygbi (HT 19-12)

There was a party atmosphere at a sun-soaked Athletic Field on Saturday afternoon as Penarth celebrated two personal milestones with a thumping 55-19 victory over Clwb Rygbi which has left them on the cusp of promotion to Division 2.

The result was a fitting way to celebrate veteran players Jimmy Crothers and James Docherty making their 400^th and 300^th appearances for the Seasiders 1^st XV respectively and both players managed to get their names on the score sheet as well as being treated to a standing ovation as they were replaced a minute before full time.

With perfect weather conditions the Seasiders flew out of the blocks and early tries from Tom Griffiths, via a powerful rolling maul, and Docherty, with a delightful pirouette out of contact from another dominant lineout, gave Penarth an early 12 point lead. However, as players and supporters alike were aware, Clwb are no walkover and just like in the return fixture a month ago they came straight back at Penarth with a try of their own.

Penarth were no perturbed however and following some more excellent work from the pack, who were dominant in scrum and lineout all afternoon, a penalty was awarded 15m from the Clwb line. Some quick thinking from full back Ben Jones saw him take a tap penalty to feed Joe Williams on a sharp angle and there was no stopping the lively centre.

Penarth’s indiscipline gave Clwb a valuable foothold in Penarth territory from where they were able to execute a well-rehearsed lineout drive of their own to narrow the gap to 7 points at half-time, 19-12.

The Seasiders were quickest out of the blocks again in the second half and picked up the bonus point try within 3 minutes as livewire scrum half Spencer Robinson fielded a towering kick and found himself in acres of space. Needing no invitation to gallop into the 22 he drew the last defenders before slipping the ball to Joe Williams who dotted down for his second of the day.

When Clwb subsequently scored their third try to narrow the gap once again it was starting to look like the game might go to the wire, but from this point Penarth’s dominance became total.

Crothers marked his 400^th game by rounding off a beautiful move which started with a sharp break from Robinson who found Joe Williams in support before Ben Jones drew the last man to send Crothers in at the corner.

First Griffiths scored his second of the game from another well executed lineout drive before Docherty added a penalty to take Penarth 3 converted tries clear with 15 minutes to go. Another offence at scrum time led to another penalty for Penarth deep in the Clwb 22 from which Harry Roberts showed great alertness to take quickly and give Nathan Frost space to dot down in the corner.

The only blot on the Penarth copybook was a late red card for wing Ben Wellington for clumsy rather than dangerous high tackle, although parity of numbers was maintained as the oppositions captain also saw red for throwing a punch in the ensuing melee.

After Crothers and Docherty departed to a well-deserved ovation from the home supporters and players there was still time for some icing on the cake as another forward drive saw Frost score his second of the day and Jones added a fine conversion.

With Llanharan beating St Albans, Penarth’s promotion will be all but secured with another 3 pts. The first opportunity for that will come on Wednesday night as Penarth face their most likely challengers for the League title, Llanharan, in what should be an absolute belter of a game.

Penarth: Geraint Williams, Tom Griffiths (Mason Good), Ryan Jones (Bradman Williams), Nathan Frost, Cam Sultana, Mike Lang (Andy Lang), Harry Roberts, Miles Jones, Spencer Robinson, James Docherty (Osian Phillips), Josh Powell, Andy Richards (Ben Wellington), Joe Williams, James Crothers, Ben Jones.

Scorers: T Griffiths (2 tries), J Williams (2 tries), N Frost (2 tries) J Crothers (try) J Docherty (try, 5 cons, pen)

WINNING IS A HABIT FOR SEASIDERS

Penygraig 24-31 Penarth (HT 12-31)

There are so many clichés that come to mind in describing a game like this, but none of them quite fits what actually happened. It wasn’t a game of two halves, as Penarth didn’t register a single point beyond the 32^nd minute. For the same reason, they didn’t snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, as they led throughout.

What actually happened was that somewhere in the middle of the third quarter, the penny dropped for Penygraig and they realised they had a totally dominant scrum and the Seasiders could do absolutely nothing about it.

It had all started so differently. As early as the 16^th minute, Andy Richards ran in Penarth’s fourth try and claimed the bonus point. The early signs were there, though: they dominated in none of the key phases of the game with one exception: they kept scoring tries. This is what the Seasiders are really good at – give them a flat, wide pitch (Graig Park is ideal) and watch them score.

As early as the third minute, a penalty and a rolling maul into the 22 brought a fresh penalty and a 5m line-out. A clean take and James Docherty picked out Harry Williams with a miss pass and the centre strolled home. The second didn’t arrive until the 12^th minute and what a try it was. The smooth handing move along the half-way line was a thing of beauty, but when Tom Griffiths made the line-break with Cam Sultana in support, the lock had only three defenders to beat, but made it look easy as he grounded under the posts.

By this time the Seasiders were simply looking way too good for the opposition, scrum-half Osian Phillips, making his first start of the season, was putting in a man-of-the match performance. Straight from the restart, Josh Hurley broke the defensive line on half-way and made a quick 20m. He feinted to head for the corner, but George Roberts was on hand to cut in at 45º to take the back-door pass from his full-back and head for the posts.

The Richards try was also a classy piece of work. Docherty fielded a goal-line drop-out near half-way and moved over towards the right-hand side of the field. Josh Hurley took pass at pace and fed his inside centre on the 22.

0-26; game over? Not quite. ‘Graig no.8 Craig Lock pulled a try back on 25mins after some phase play in the Penarth 22 and Harry Wood replied with his side’s fifth try from close range. More pressure from the hosts led to a well-worked try as scrum-half Charlie Davey broke down the short side of a scrum to feed right wing Nicky May for his side’s second.

Penygraig’s half-time pep talk was all about how they had to concentrate on the scrum. Once they realised what they had, it was slow, but relentless one-way traffic. In fact, it took them until the 62^nd minute to work out that regardless of the put-in, they could either drive the visitors’ pack off the ball or claim an inevitable penalty. Lock claimed his second from a re-set scrum to bring the score back to 17-31 and then repeated the trick with three minutes to go to reduce the deficit to a mere 7 points. The only way out remaining for the Seasiders was the final whistle and this arrived in the nick of time.

Penarth welcome sixth-placed Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd to the Athletic Field on Saturday. With only Llanharan in hot pursuit, every one of the five remaining games (including the home fixture against Llanharan themselves on the following Wednesday evening) is a ‘must-win’.

© Peter Weston 09-Apr-23

PENARTH:

Josh Hurley (Ben Jones), George Roberts, Harry Williams, Andy Richards, Josh Powell, James Docherty, Osian Phillips, Harry Wood (Rhys Newman), Tom Griffiths, Geraint Williams, Nathan Frost, Cam Sultana, Mike Lane (Matt Allen), Miles Jones ©, Harry Roberts.

Scorers: Harry Williams (try), George Roberts (try), Cam Sultana (try), Andy Richards (try), Harry Wood (try), Josh Hurley (4 conversions).