Penarth fall to final kick

St Albans 27-25 Penarth (HT 14-13)

Following the previous weekends impressive victory against Tylorstown the trip to tremorfa Park to face newly promoted St Albans should have been a chance for Penarth to establish their credentials as real contenders in the division. However a see-saw game on a postage stamp pitch saw the lead change hands no less than 8 times with the telling contribution coming from the boot of the home teams outside half on the final whistle to deny Penarth what would have been a scrappy but important victory.

It had all started well for Penarth with a good kick return and some great work at the breakdown securing a penalty which James Docherty converted for an early lead. However the “Buns” are well known for their tenacious attitude and they built their way back into the game before squeezing over for a try in the left hand corner which was neatly converted.

Penarth responded with another Docherty penalty following a hugebreak from George Roberts before they retook the lead after a searing break down the right wing from centre Harry Williams off a well work scrum move put the Buns defence all at sea and as the ball was quickly recycled Docherty strolled over unopposed.

The Buns had the final say in the first half as they established a foothold in the Penarth 22 and launched repeated attacks. A final push following a big scrum saw the inside centre carve between the defenders to put the homes side ahead by 14-13 at the break.

Penarth started well in the second half with the scrum in particular starting to apply some pressure on the home side. But penalties conceded were a constant thorn in the visitors side which allowed the home team to take huge strides down the pitch and limit attacking opportunities. When Penarth finally managed to get back into the opposition 22 they went through the phases before Andy Richards broke free to score under the posts and restore the lead.

But it was not to last and first a penalty and then a try saw St Albans re-establish their lead at 24-20. Penarth then piled forward to try and secure victory and after a length encampment in the Buns half it was Tom Griffiths who acrobatically nipped in at the corner to score the try that put Penarth ahead with just 90 seconds left on the clock.

A safe catch and efficient exit would have been enough to seal victory but in slippy conditions the usually reliable Miles Jones saw the ball slide through his fingers to give the home side the put in at a scrum. The Penarth forwards were unable to repel the rampant Buns pack and a penalty was conceded with the last play of the game. The Buns outside half showed nerves of steel to step up and slot the kick to register a perfect 5/5 record and take the spoils for his team.

Penarth for their part will be disappointed with the result as they simply did not perform to the standards that they have set for themselves, particularly in attack where they looked panicked and disorganised, a far cry from the team who systematically took apart Tylorstown the week before. The coaches will expect a big improvement once league action returns following the World Cup final break as Penarth seek to cement their position in the upper echelons of the league.

Penarth: H Wood, M Good (T Griffiths), A Doyle, A Shore, M Allen, J Spragg (T Baker), R Bowen, M Jones, S Robinson, J Docherty, B Hill (J Crothers), A Richards (J Hurley), H Williams, G Roberts, R Morgan (c)

Scorers – J Docherty (t/2p/2c), A Richards (t), T Griffiths (t)