Penarth Athletic help spoil the party!

PENARTH ATHLETIC 57 St. JOSEPHS II 53

The Athletic welcomed rivals St Joseph’s II on Saturday as the top two teams in the East District Premier Division closed out their respective seasons. The Joe’s are worthy champions, with their only loss before Saturday to Penarth Athletic back in March.

What unfolded was a remarkable game of rugby, but was also a display of the strength in depth for both clubs, as in excess of 50 players took to the field with no let up in the level of quality and commitment on show.

As much as the Joe’s were effective upfront, Penarth were equally effective with ball in hand and played with tempo and excitement throughout. Rhys Morgan and James Candy orchestrated proceedings, complemented by powerful ball carrying from Will Hardy, Dan Calahane and livewire flanker (and man of the match) Alex Abel. Harry Wood led well from the front alongside the veteran pairing of James Crothers and James Coslett.

A flurry of first half tries from both sides provided a half time scoreline of 24-26 and with everything to play for, both benches really influenced the course of the game. Sam Sullivan and Ben Wellington’s early introduction added more firepower to the Penarth attack, whilst scrum half replacement Ifan Sion kept releasing quick and accurate ball to his backline.

With the scoreline at 31-54 in favour of the visitors as we entered the final quarter, no-one really expected anything other than a Joe’s victory. But back came the Athletic, with the bench making a further impact on the momentum of the game. Chris Mortimer and James Peploe Williams carried powerfully, while forward pairing of Dom Owen and Matt Allen added experience up front, giving the backs an attacking platform which eventually told.

With momentum firmly with the home side, but still two points behind, a penalty allowed the Athletic to go for the corner in the last play of the match. Debutant Dan Mears was orchestrating the forward attack and the pressure on the Joe’s try line eventually told, with the pack crashing over, for the final score of 57-53 in favour of the home side.

A well-deserved victory for an Athletic team that has grown in confidence and ability this year. To field such a strong side, with many of the players having represented the first XV this season, shows the progress the club has made in the last year to promote second team rugby. With a blend of experience, youthful exuberance and an exciting pattern of play that is very evident across both senior sides, the signs are positive as we look forward to next season.

Penarth:

George Kynaston, Will Hardy, James Candy, Will Lloyd, Owen Lewis, Rhys Morgan, Tom Hillman, Harry Wood, Bradman Williams, Henry George, Harrison Pugsley, Dan Calahane, James Crothers, Alex Abel, James Coslett.

Substitutions (all used): James Edwards, Dan Mears, Sam Sullivan, Louie Gwatkin, Dom Owen, Ben Wellington, Leon Appiah, Daniel Botfield, Matt Alle, Will Lewis, Cian Lewis, James Peploe-Williams, Chris Mortimer.