13/11/2021

13 Nov 2021

SEASIDERS’ CUP ERRORS

St.Alban’s 29-18 Penarth (HT 17-11)

Mid-way though the four-week hiatus between the Bowl and the new league season was ideal timing for both sides in this deeply strange Malcolm Thomas Cup fixture. The morning rain had made little difference to the excellent Tremorfa Park playing surface and running rugby was set to be the order of the day.

However, two aspects of forward play were established from the off: the Seasiders pack were to dominate the tight without gaining any advantage, while the line-out was a total disaster area.

But make no mistake, Penarth were in it to win it and never let up in their efforts. They pinned the ‘Buns in their own 22 for much of the first quarter, taking an early lead through an Andy Richards penalty and then extending that lead as Alex Shore made the key line-break for a move finished by captain Rhys Morgan in the corner.

The thing with the scrum was that despite shunting the home eight backwards on a regular basis, it was always too late to stop St.Albans getting the ball away and the hosts were to score three of their five tries from this sort of first-phase possession. The first of these arrived after 26 minutes and another four minutes later turned the game around from 0-8 to 12-8, a lead that was never again to change hands.

With half-time approaching, the Seasiders pulled three points back with another Richards penalty, but their domination of proceedings was always interrupted by the mis-firing line-out. The ‘Buns eased ahead again as a swift move on the blindside of a retreating scrum and a grubber to the corner brought the third try and a lead of 17-11 at the break.

The second half began poorly for Penarth as another first-phase move, this time from a line-out, saw the home full-back coming in at angle for the far corner and brushing off several tackles on the way. 22-11

The rest of the game arguably belonged to the Seasiders and it was only a series of critical handling errors and increasingly bizarre interventions by the referee that stopped them running away with it. Despite all the territory, possession and pressure, the only reward came on the hour as Richie Bowen forced his way over from short range. With lead reduced to only four points, a Penarth win seemed the likeliest outcome, but the error count argued against that and with four minutes remaining, St.Albans added a fifth try to put the game firmly out of the Seasiders’ reach.

PENARTH:

Rhys Morgan ©, George Kynaston, Andy Richards, Ben Wellington Jim Crothers, James Candy (Kevin Maddox), Ellis Shewring, Harry Wood (Geraint Williams), Tom Griffiths (Mason Good), Alan Doyle, Alex Shore, Ben Heywood (Cam Sultana), Josh Barden, Miles Jones, Richie Bowen

Scorers: Rhys Morgan T, Richie Bowen T, Andy Richards 2P, 1C

TH:

Rhys Morgan ©, George Kynaston, Andy Richards, Ben Wellington Jim Crothers, James Candy (Kevin Maddox), Ellis Shewring, Harry Wood (Geraint Williams), Tom Griffiths (Mason Good), Alan Doyle, Alex Shore, Ben Heywood (Cam Sultana), Josh Barden, Miles Jones, Richie Bowen

Scorers: Rhys Morgan T, Richie Bowen T, Andy Richards 2P, 1C

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18/10/2021

18 Oct 2021

SEASIDERS FIGHTBACK

Pontyclun 22-15 Penarth (10-3)

Following last week’s cancellation, Penarth RFC managed to field a competitive squad at Windsor Field, Pontyclun last Saturday. Despite registering a fifth defeat in this year’s WRU Bowl, there were many encouraging signs as they face a four-week wait for the league season to begin.

Pontyclun always fancy themselves in this fixture and were probably conscious of the Seasiders’ solid win here in January 2020 as they tore into the opposition from the start. Penarth withstood this well and took the fight to the hosts, narrowly missing taking the lead after 14 minutes as a penalty shot at goal was missed.

The Seasiders’ pack was already getting on top of things in the tight when the Badges took an unexpected lead two minutes later. Managing to get the ball away from a retreating scrum, they drove up the middle of the park. The Penarth defence had everything covered until openside flanker Joe Davies cut inside a missed tackle and grounded behind the posts.

Having fallen behind against the run of play the Seasiders surged straight back into the hosts’ 22. This was a high-pressure, high error-count game they were playing and should have yielded more points, but as the Badgers went further ahead with a late penalty on a rare visit to Penarth territory, the only reward for umpteen attacking phases was a James Candy penalty on the stroke of half-time.

The Seasiders continued to exert pressure in the second half, but also lost ground to handling errors. Their defence was pretty solid, but finally undone as Pontyclun tapped a penalty in the away 22, pulling the defence one way and another before right wing Ryan Wheeler found space to squeeze in at the corner for a 15-3 lead after 49 minutes..

Penarth came back strongly and closed the gap to a single score on the hour. A tapped free kick on the home 10m line found its way to a determined Harry Wood outside the 22, who side-stepped and waded through five or six heavy tackles before being stopped.. Quick ball was recycled to Alex Thau, who crashed past two tackles to the line.

Having finally managed to generate some real momentum and with the home pack in complete disarray, the Seasiders seemed set fair for a thrilling comeback, only to concede a third try on 68 minutes as a quick-fire move from the Badgers brought left wing Josh Ashcroft over to the right touchline as the extra man on the overlap and a score in the corner.

Penarth emptied the bench at this point and adopted a less frenetic approach which brought them close to claiming a draw. Andy Richards benefitted from a sublime three-quarter move from a ruck and reached the line under pressure before making sure of the score by putting Tom Luck in for a well-deserved try. There was still time for the equalising try as the Seasiders piled on the pressure up to the final whistle, but a single loose pass allowed Pontyclun to reclaim possession and heave the ball into touch.

PENARTH:

James Candy, Jim Crothers, Andy Richards, Tom Luck, Ben Wellington, Rhys Morgan © (Kevin Maddox), Spencer Robinson (Ellis Shewring), Harry Wood (Ryan Jones), Mason Good (Liam Richards ), Alan Doyle, Ben Heywood, Cam Sultana, Josh Spragg (Josh Barden), Miles Jones, Alex Thau

Scorers: Alex Thau T, Tom Luck T, James Candy C, P

Specsavers National League 3 East Central A

Saturday 13^thNovember 2021

PENARTH v Old Illtydians

Athletic Field, Lavernock Road, CF64 3QH

Kick-off 2.30pm

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15/10/2021

15 Oct 2021

SEASIDERS CUP WOES CONTINUE

Penarth 5-27 Pentrych (HT 0-20)

The Seasiders’ stumble through this season’s National Bowl competition continued last Saturday.They have soundly beaten neighbours Old Penarthians twice, but lost to everyone else in the group. The team fielded two more debutants in AJ Jones and Ben Wellington, bringing the total number of players that have featured in these four games to 46.

Proceedings began as a starting fifteen missing a number of experienced players faced a businesslike Pentyrch outfit. The real puzzle was that is such dreadful conditions, both sides rejected the option of ‘up the jumper’ ruby and went for the running game. With, it has to be said, a marked lack of success.

The visitors opened the scoring after seven minutes in what was to be a rare enough visit to the home 22 as their number eight latched on to a 5m line-out throw and crashed over. Six minutes later, they were back to convert a penalty under the posts for a 10-0 lead.

Meanwhile Penarth seemed to be marking time as Pentyrch played with directness and purpose whenever they sensed an opportunity. It was no surprise when they moved further ahead on 23 minutes as the right wing crossed in the corner and the outside-half converted from the touchline.

The Seasiders weren’t giving up, exactly, but seemed to lack any clear idea of what to do with the plentiful possession that came their way. Laboured three-quarter moves inevitably ending in handling error, turnover or aimless kick ahead. Another penalty for the visitors left Penarth twenty points adrift at half-time.

I suppose you could say that the second half was better for the hosts as the sides were limited to a try apiece, but having lost Alex Shore after twenty minutes, the already long injury list continued to grow as a nasty collision saw George Roberts stretchered off.

Despite this, Penarth were still playing most of the attacking rugby, but consistently failing to turn this into points. Harry Roberts also had to be helped from the field on the hour and when Alex Thau also went down injured it was hard to see any way back for the Seasiders.

However, the dynamic number 8 recovered after treatment and in fact there was no second half score at all until a rare Pentyrch attack after 73 minutes yielded them a soft third try. Their outside half received a short pass 15 metres out and waltzed through two horribly missed tackles to the line.

The only relief came in the final phase of the game after another period of pressure from Penarth. At last a worked move came together as Spencer Robinson popped up a short pass to the oncoming Thau and the number eight crashed through five defenders for the consolation try.

The Seasiders visit unbeaten Llanharan next Saturday in the penultimate group fixture.

PENARTH:

James Candy, George Roberts (Jim Crothers), Andy Richards, Ben Wellington, Rhys Morgan ©, Spencer Robinson, A J Jones, Tom Griffiths (Mason Good), Alan Doyle, Ben Heywood, Cam Sultana, Alex Shore (Nathan Frost), Harry Roberts (Ellis Shewring).

Scorer: Alex Thau, Try

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27/09/2021

27 Sep 2021

ATHLETIC WELLY CANTON

Penarth Athletic 38-19 Canton 2^nd XV (HT 12-12)

With the 1^st XV on a rest week it was the Athletic XV’s chance to take centre stage at the Athletic Field as they hosted Canton 2^nd XV on Saturday in what turned out to be an absolute belter of a match in EDRU Division 1.

It was clear from the off that this was going to be a classic clash of styles with Canton having a noticeable size advantage to match their powerful tight game whilst Penarth clearly had the legs on the visitors particularly in the back row and wider channels.

Canton made a dominant start and soon found themselves 5-0 up after some powerful running through the centre opened a gap. But Penarth bounced straight back with Mason Good to the fore on his return from injury and some slick handling and efficient recycling of the ball saw Ben Wellington slice through the centre of the Canton defence to go under the posts.

Canton retook the lead shortly after but on the stroke of half time another silky bit of handling across the backline saw Chris Mortimer make the half break to feed Jimmy Crothers who touched down in the corner to leave the half time score a 12-12.

The sizeable crowd were now getting very much into the game and this resulted in a noticeable increase in intensity as the second half got under way and it was Penarth who struck first with Ryan Jones rumbling over after a series of phases right on the Canton try line. Penarth were starting to find some real gaps in the wide areas with Owen Evans, Josh Barden and Jack Petersen enjoying working in space whilst Nik Haymes and George Kynaston looked a real handful.

The relentless Penarth pressure was now starting to tell and after a couple of near misses it was Andy Richards who ghosted through the tiring Canton defence to open up a nice cushion for the home side. Canton were sprung back into action and following some lusty drives they set up camp on the Penarth line. But Penarth were not to be denied and a huge defensive effort saw the visitors repelled and ball eventually cleared away.

Then came the try of the match as Canton drove forward past the half way line Ellis Shewring ripped the ball cleared and after a couple of phases Richards went screaming through another gap in the Canton defence, Wellington was on hand in support as the last defender was drawn in and on his return from the cricket season (and honeymoon) Wellington crossed for his second try.

Canton got a consolation try back but it was Penarth who had the last word as Nik Haymes crossed for the 6^th and final try of the afternoon.

Next Weekend sees the 1^st XV back in action against Pentyrch at home whilst the Athletic travel to Cwrt y Vil to take on the Old Penarthians.

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21/09/2021

21 Sep 2021

Penarth Shine Under Lights

Penarth 60-10 Old Penarthians (HT 20-10)

After three consecutive defeats this local derby was an absolute must win for Penarth but the performance they gave putting local rivals the Old Pens to the sword was above expectations. In front of a big local crowd the Seasiders recorded 10 tries with an excellent display of running rugby which will give them a huge boost in the remaining 3 matches of this WRU Bowl Round Robin phase of the season.

With the Old Pens having a few old heads back from the team that lost 48-7 at Cwrt y Vil back in August and Penarth racking up an impressive injury list it was expected to be a tight affair. However, from the off Penarth asserted their dominance in the set piece and in the loose and were soon ahead on the scoreboard with Tom Griffiths going over from the back of a rolling maul.

The Old Pens pulled 3 points back from the boot of Steffan Crimp but soon found themselves 15-3 down as first Miles Jones and then Griffiths, again, crossed the whitewash. The Old Pens were struggling to cope with Penarth’s high tempo hard running game which was being brilliantly orchestrated by skipper Rhys Morgan at fly half.

The Old Pens did manage a try of their own from a predictable source as the ever dangerous Chris Poole came in off his wing to slice through the Penarth defence and go under the posts to make it 15-10, and despite Penarth’s dominance it looked like it may yet be a tight match.

But that was as good as it got for the visitors as Penarth started to motor through the gears. Jones got his second try after a delightful piece of handling from second row Ben Haywood put him clear on the right wing just before half time and in the second half Penarth really opened up.

First Spencer Robinson made a trademark snipe to stroll in under the posts before Griffiths completed his hat-trick, both converted by the returning James Candy who had a good game at full back. Harry Wood then turned on the style as he took the ball flat on the gainline and let loose an outrageous side step that saw him scythe through the hapless Old Pens defence and over the try line for Penarth’s 7^th try.

Next in on the act was second row Alex Shore, who had carried relentlessly all game, and then Ryan Jones peeled off the back of another dominant rolling maul to bounce his way through a few tired tacklers and over the line. Proceedings were wrapped up by that man Robinson who glided through for his second and Penarth’s 10^th with Candy adding three more conversions.

There is no doubt that this will be a huge confidence boost to the Seasiders, however they will be aware that for all the heart, grit and determination shown by the Old Pens the challenge that awaits them in the remainder of the Bowl competition and in the League season to follow, starting in November, will be a significant jump up in quality.

On Saturday the Athletic XV travelled to Llandaff in EDRU Division 1 and came away with a resounding victory by 38-7. Tries from Aled Rees (2), Xavier Cranwell, Nik Haymes, Aurther Mills and Ellis Shewring who also added 4 conversions, saw Penarth cruise to a comfortable but well earned victory.

This weekend sees the Athletic host Canton at the Athletic Field whilst the 1^st XV have a rest week.

PENARTH: James Candy, George Kynaston, George Roberts, Danny Davison (Ellis Shewring), James Crothers, Rhys Morgan (Aled Rees), Spencer Robinson, Harry Wood, Tom Griffiths (Liam Richards), Alan Doyle (Ryan Jones), Alex Shore, Ben Heywood, Josh Barden (Josh Spragg) Harry Roberts, Miles Jones.

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13/09/2021

13 Sep 2021

SEASIDERS SHIP SEVEN

Pentrych 37-15 Penarth (HT 22-8)

There are several conclusions we can draw from this bizarre, chaotic fixture which probably ends Penarth’s serious interest in this season’s Bowl competition.

To start with, we can only wonder at the Seasiders’ strength in depth, as many familiar names were missing from this match day squad and the total number featuring in the four games so far this season reaches 52.

Pentyrch clearly fancied their chances and Penarth took some time to get going, conceding an early try after a scrum penalty was tapped and left wing Robbie Thomas scored on the overlap. This didn’t look good, but the Seasiders settled into a decent rhythm and it wasn’t until the closing stages of the match that Pentyrch were able to take the game away from them. After nearly pulling off an equalising try, the visitors then converted a 25 metre penalty to make the score 5-3.

Then the match was held up for several minutes as Josh Hurley was taken off with a serious-looking injury, being replaced by Ellis Shewring. The delay did Penarth’s concentration no good at all, as Pentrych scored again. Outside-half Morgan Hayward winning the foot race from a chip ahead.

Some cracks in the Seasiders’ defence were beginning to show and this was to play no small part in allowing the hosts to run in so many tries. That’s not to say that Penarth were lacking elsewhere, as a lovely grubber from James Docherty was caught on the bounce by George Roberts, but only resulted in a penalty. This was tapped and worked neatly out to the wing, where Tom Griffiths grounded to bring the score back to 10-8.

The next Penarth attack foundered as a chip ahead was picked off by the home outside centre, who waltzed through several tackles before feeding his supporting flanker for the third try. It seemed that in a game that was otherwise evenly contested, as soon as Pentyrch got any forward momentum, the Penarth defence simply fell away. The fourth try, on the stroke of half-time, was a repeat of the first, as the right wing outpaced the cover to score in the corner. Half-time: 22-8

After a few gentle encouraging words from the coaching staff, the Seasiders began the second half in a much brighter mood. Docherty nailed an inch-perfect penalty on to the home 5 metre line and Spencer Robinson darted over from the line-out. But for the next 25 minutes, confusion reigned as the score remained stuck on 22-15. Docherty retired injured, to be replaced by a third scrum-half in Aled Rees, resulting in a further re-jig for the back line.

The referee was also getting increasingly involved in proceedings, which wasn’t helping either side. A lengthy discussion over a penalty awarded to Penarth resulted in a reversal and the hosts capitalised immediately with a fifth try in the corner.

The Seasiders didn’t exactly give up after this, but further injuries seriously hampered their effectiveness and Pentrych were able to run in two late tries to seal the deal. It has to be said that most players turned in fine individual performances (special mention here for Lloyd Clarke’s for total commitment to the cause), but as a team they found there was just too much to deal with on the day.

PENARTH:

Rhys Morgan ©, George Roberts, Andy Richards, Josh Hurley (Ellis Shewring), Jim Crothers, James Docherty (Aled Rees), Spencer Robinson, Geraint Williams (Sean O’Sullivan), Lloyd Ellis (Sam Davies) , Ryan Jones, Cam Sultana, Lloyd Clarke, Tom Griffiths, Miles Jones, Harry Roberts (Josh Barden).

WRU Bowl Round-Robin

Friday 17^thSeptember 2021

PENARTH v Old Penarthians

Athletic Field, Lavernock Road, Penarth CF64 3PA

Kick-off 7.00 pm

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08/09/2021

08 Sep 2021

SEASIDERS FALL SHORT

Penarth 19-21 Pontyclun (HT 7-18)

After the chastening defeat away to Llanharan in their last game Saturday saw Penarth play their first home game of the season looking to bounce back against divisional rivals Pontyclun. Unfortunately, despite a much improved performance, a sloppy first half display and a lack of discipline ultimately cost the Seasiders victory as they came up just two points short.

The game was a cagey affair in the opening stages with both sides feeling the other out and showing some willingness to spread the ball in beautiful, if not a bit breezy conditions. Penarth made some inroads into the visitors half with the wind behind their backs but from a line out deep in their own half the Badgers launched a slick move which caught the Seasiders short in midfield and saw their right winger cross for the opening score.

Penarth reacted well and took the game to Pontyclun setting up camp in the opponents half and exerting serious pressure, particularly in the set piece which was functioning far more efficiently than in their previous match. However, Pontyclun showed how dangerous they were with another break from deep which looked sure to result in a try but for the final pass going to ground with their centre clear for a run in under the posts.

Not to be deterred Penarth stuck to the task and got their reward after a period of sustained pressure saw Owen Lloyd break off the back of a scrum to feed the ever alert Spencer Robinson who darted through the defensive line to score out wide with Andy Richards adding the extras to level the scores at 7-7.

The remainder of the first half however was an indication of where Penarth desperately need to improve and that is in the area of discipline. A number of mis-demeanours were picked up by the referee and the Pontyclun kicker was in no mood to let Penarth off the hook slotting two penalties to re-establish the lead.

The decisive moment in the game, as it turned out, came just before half time as Penarth squandered possession inside the Pontyclun half and the visiting side broke loose, Penarth regained possession only to kick it away again and there then followed a bizarre run of play where the ball was juggled, kicked, blocked, hacked on and finally Pontyclun winning the race to the ball and the line to score a try and leave themselves 7-18 up at half time.

Whilst Penarth’s efforts in the second half were not quite enough to win the game the display they put on will certainly be a consolation to the coaching team who watched on their side dominated proceedings, although not initially affecting the scoreboard. When the inevitable score did come, with 20 minutes to play, it was somewhat of a throwback as the pack converted a 5 metre lineout into an irresistible rolling maul and eventually a try for second row Cameron Sultana.

Unfortunately Penarth failed to clear their lines from the resultant kick off and having handed over possession on their own 22 then compounded the problem by conceding a penalty right under the posts allowing Pontyclun to open a 9 point gap.

Penarth pressed on and finally got their rewards with yet another dominant lineout catch and drive which saw Sultana add a second try on the full time whistle to leave Penarth agonisingly short with a final score of 19-21.

PENARTH: Rhys Morgan ©, George Roberts, Andy Richards, Chris Mortimer (Danny Davidson), James Crothers, Kevin Maddox, Spencer Robinson (Ellis Shewring), Harry Wood, Liam Richards (Luke Ellis), Cam Sultana, Ben Heywood, Josh Spragg (Geraint Williams), Miles Jones, Owen Lloyd (Andy Lang).

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08/09/2021

08 Sep 2021

HARD DAYS NIGHT FOR PENARTH

Llanharan 46 – 12 Penarth (HT 19-7)

Following the hugely impressive win at the Old Pens in round 1 of the WRU Bowl competition a much changed Penarth side headed to the Dairyfield last Thursday evening to take on Division 3C stablemates Llanharan. Llanharan were top of the group going into the game with wins against the other two sides in the group, Pontyclun and Pentyrch, but Penarth headed in with plenty of confidence.

There was a noticeable size difference between the two sides, particularly in the forward pack, but this was not going to phase Penarth whose fluent running game is well suited to the current law variations in place post Covid. Indeed it was Penarth who started the brighter of the two, dominating possession and territory as they moved the ball well across the backline with occasional direct bursts from their strike runners Tom Luck, Alex Thau and Miles Jones.

Initial pressure from Penarth brought a penalty advantage which new fly half Ben Jones immediately took advantage of by placing an inch perfect kick behind the pressing Llanharan defence for George Roberts to dot down in the corner, which Jones then expertly converted.

Penarth were soon back on the offensive and as Jones pushed a penalty kick wide which would have given a 10 point lead after 15 minutes there was little sign of what was to come.

Unfortunately at this point the tide turned in favour of the home side and some of Penarth’s old problems started to manifest themselves with missed tackles and a mis-functioning lineout piling compounding the pressure that the big home side had started exerting by monopolising possession and running hard around the fringes of the breakdown.

Three Llanharan tries came before the half time whistle and the homes side noticeably grew in confidence with each score. When they secured their bonus point try shortly after half time to establish a 26-7 lead the game seemed to have gone away from Penarth very quickly and a number of players were clearly fatigued from the exertions of repelling the Llanharan attacks.

There was a glimmer of hope as captain Rhys Morgan scored what can only be described as a fortuitous try as the home side scrambled to clear their lines from within the in-goal area only to see the clearing kick ricochet off the corner flag and into the grateful arms of the Penarth skipper who only had to take two steps and a dive to the tryline.

Any hope of a Penarth revival was soon snuffed out as Llanharan soon reasserted control and ran in a further 3 tries before the final whistle to end up 46-12 winners.

The open part of this competition was always going to be about who could maintain the most consistent starting XV through the holiday period and a mixture of unavailability and injury has certainly hampered Penarth. However, with September now around the corner there should hopefully be a more settled look to the side going forward and with 6 fixtures still remaining in the round robin stages there is plenty of time for the Seasiders to get the results required to progress, starting this weekend with the first home game of the year against Pontyclun.

The second XV also make their seasonal debut with a match against St Joseph’s III at home kicking off at 2.30pm and the club is also fielding a veterans team, aptly code named The Penarth Barbarians, who will be hosting Poole RFC with an early kick off at 11am

PENARTH: Rhys Morgan ©, George Roberts, Andy Richards, Tom Luck, James Crothers, Ben Jones (Kevin Maddox), Spencer Robinson (Ellis Shewring), Geraint Williams (Harry Wood), Liam Richards (Luke Ellis), Cam Sultana, Ben Heywood, Alex Thau, Harry Roberts (Andy Lang), Miles Jones.

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08/09/2021

08 Sep 2021

CLASSY SEASIDERS STROLL TO VICTORY

Old Penarthians 7-48 Penarth (HT 0-19)

The 2021-22 WRU Bowl competition kicked off early this week as Penarth travelled across Lavernock Road to meet Old Penarthians in the first game of the round-robin phase. A lengthy pre-season had suggested that the Seasiders had a lot going for them and so it proved.

They started strongly, dominating territory and possession against an Old Pens who were well-organised and tenacious in defence. Rhys Beynon nevertheless opened the scoring with a clean break inside the 22 to go under the posts. The Penarth set piece was dominant and this caused Old Pens problems in lineout and scrum. The visitors continued to build pressure into the 2nd quarter and that eventually told as the hosts infringed one too many times and got a yellow card. From the lineout Tom Griffiths went over from a rolling maul.

Shortly after a loose kick from the Old Pens was fielded by James Docherty and spun wide to Will Hardy who drew the last man and put Rhys Morgan over in the corner for a half-time score of 19-0.

The second half stated with a well-organised Old Pens throwing everything at the Seasiders, with former Penarth players Chris Poole, James Beaton, Louis Chandler and Joe Page to the fore. Penarth slowly got on top and wore them down and a few chances went begging. With 25 minutes to go Jerome Bryan was yellow carded for a high tackle and that along with the impact of the players off the bench (in particular Harry Wood) saw the floodgates open as Will Hardy crossed out wide.

The Old Pens got a consolation try shortly afterwards but that was as good as it got for them. More Penarth tries soon followed, firstly for the outstanding second row pair of Alex Shore and Nathan Frost and later for George Roberts, who crossed twice in the last 5 minutes. The first after an outrageous offload from a tackle by Beynon and the second from a clean break from Alex Thau, who carried a huge amount of ball throughout.

There were excellent performances from all players but MoM Nathan Frost, Alex Shore, Alex Thau, Rhys Beynon, Spencer Robinson and Joe Williams (playing at centre) were real highlights. The scrum was dominant throughout, as was the lineout, but the games to come against Pentyrch, Pontyclun and Llanharan will provide much sterner tests.

The game was of a really high quality with lots of open play and great handling and at times the Seasiders were bordering on the irresistible. The five-team Bowl group means a bye for Penarth next week, before an away tie against Pentyrch a week later.

PENARTH: Rhys Morgan ©, George Roberts, Joe Williams, Rhys Beynon, Will Hardy, James Docherty (Andy Richards), Spencer Robinson (Ellis Shewring), Geraint Williams (Harry Wood), Tom Griffiths, Alan Doyle (Ryan Jones), Nathan Frost (Cam Sultana), Alex Shore, Alex Thau, Miles Jones, Hugh Leach.

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08/09/2021

08 Sep 2021

SEASIDERS LEARN FROM A STEP UP

Dinas Powys 31-7 Penarth

This was, finally, a return to full-contact competitive rugby, 15-a-side, scrums and all that goes with it. It could be viewed as a reality check for the visitors, but as a relentlessly physical Dinas side battered their way to a deserved 5 tries to 1 result, the benefits for this young Penarth squad were clear enough. They are more than ready for their opening WRU Bowl fixture against Old Penarthians at Cwrt-y-Vil, now re-arranged for Thursday evening.

There were massive collisions from the start, as the Villagers tried to out-muscle and out-pace the Seasiders, but the youngsters held firm, only to fall behind after 10 minutes as the hosts’ scrum-half skipped off the back of the first scrum of the game for a 7-0 lead.

Despite conceding an obvious weight advantage in the scrums, the Penarth eight were no pushover and held their ground throughout. The fact that the scoreboard was slowly ticking over in the first half was solely due to the fact that Dinas were better at taking their chances when they came. After half an hour, they claimed a line-out on the 22 and their blindside flanker romped home after the initial drive from the maul. 12-0.

As half-time approached, in a rare excursion into open play, the Villagers’ full-back made a clean break from their own 22 and delivered a scoring pass when finally tackled to the supporting right-wing. 19-0.

The Seasiders had been competitive throughout, but failed to register a score despite winning their fair share of possession and field position. This all changed in the first minute of the second half as Kevin Maddox juggled a tapped penalty on the Dinas 22 and, two short passes later, Alan Doyle was over the line for yet another try in open play. 19-7

Penarth were now having a much better time of it and applying pressure in all areas of the game, only to fall further behind on 55 minutes. Pressing hard in the home 22, all it took was one stray pass and the Dinas scrum half was running the length of the pitch for what looked like a certain try. However, Alex Shore had other ideas, chasing him down all the way to his own 22 and nailing the tackle. The remaining problem was that the Villagers had arrived in numbers and, with the Seasiders’ defence out of position, the hosts’ left wing went over unopposed. 26-7

The match drew to a close in the gathering gloom as Dinas turned the screw and turnovers went this way and that, but ended with a fifth Dinas try on the final whistle. 31-7.

PENARTH SQUAD: Rob Rees, Andy Lang, Alan Doyle, Ben Heywood, Owen Lloyd, Harry Wood, Lloyd Ellis, Tom Griffiths, Geraint Williams, Cam Sultana, Alex Thau, Hugh Leach, Alex Shore. Jim Crothers, Kevin Maddox, Rhys Morgan ©, Morgan Smith, Aled Rees, Ellis Shewring, Rhys Beynon, George Kynaston, Josh Hurley, Joe Williams.

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Pos		Team	Pld	W	L	Pts
1	•	St Josephs	5	5	0	25
2	•	Abercynon	5	4	1	22
3	•	Rhydyfelin	5	4	1	22
4	•	Penarth	5	4	1	21
5	↑	Llanishen	5	2	3	14
6	↓	Llanharan	5	3	2	13
7	•	Abercwmboi	5	1	4	5
8	↑	Barry	5	1	4	5
9	↓	Rhiwbina	5	1	4	5
10	↓	Porth Harlequins	5	0	5	2

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Season: 2024-2025