Penarth out of Silver Ball

Penarth 7-17 Bryncethin (HT 0-17)

At the third time of asking Penarth finally managed to complete their Silver Ball Quarter Final against Bryncethin of Division 4 West Central, after two waterlogged pitch postponements, but it was a case of one cup too far for the Seasiders as they went down 7-17.

As with the previous weeks cup fixture this was a much changed Penarth side from Saturday’s victory against Penygraig with only Osian Phillips and Harry Williams surviving from the trip to the Rhondda Valley, but whereas the hard track of the Arms Park played to Penarth’s strengths last week the sodden Llanharan turf was far more suited the heavy firepower of the Bryncethin forwards.

The opposition were also a step in class from the previous week, whilst Caerau Ely are challenging for promotion this term Bryncethin are the standout team in Division 4 across Wales, as evidenced by their comfortable Division 4 Cup win at the Principality Stadium last weekend. Add to that the fact that they have been the stars of 4 West Central for the last couple of years and are odds on favourites for promotion this term with a perfect record of 12 from 12 in the league.

The match itself was very much a game of two halves with the strong wind at the Dairy Field having a significant bearing on proceedings. Playing into the breeze in the first half the Seasiders spent long periods camped in their own half, a task made all the more challenging with Bryncethin’s dominance at the set piece. That being said Penarth’s defence was excellent on all but two occasions which ultimately cost them the game.

The first try for Bryncethin came from a Penarth scrum as the ball was spilled in midfield and then fortuitously hacked forward by an oncoming Bryncethin player who managed to win the race to dot the ball down. A penalty shortly after extended the lead before Bryncethin scored their final points of the match after 30 minutes as a well worked set piece move saw the backs create a gap out wide and capitalise.

In the second half there was improvement in Penarth’s game and then found territorial success and created a number of chances without finding the final touch. When the breakthrough finally came it was courtesy of Harry Williams who cut a lovely line off Rhys Morgan in midfield and found support from James Coslett who was hauled down just short of the line. As the Brycethin defence scrambled back they over-committed on the openside and Williams was left with a stroll over the line on the blindside. Morgan converted and Penarth were back in it.

Unfortunately, despite much effort a combination of small mistakes and Bryncethin’s ability to retain possession for long periods meant that Penarth simply ran out of time. Whilst there will be no Silver Ball Trophy this season Penarth can be consoled that their prolific try scoring in the competition has won them the Trophy and pre-season curtain raiser against the eventual Silver Ball winners to be played in August next year.

The introduction of Chairman Sean O’Sullivan at tighthead was definite highlight of the match as it meant he got to join Bradman Williams in the front row, 24 years after playing in the same team as Bradman’s father Stephen, “Skippy”.

Penarth: Bradman Williams (Lloyd Ellis), Ethan Barry (Ben Jackson), Sam Sully (Sean O’Sullivan), Andy Lang, Paul Jones, Sam Davies, Connor Mitchell, James Coslett (Owen Evans), Osian Phillips, Joe Roberts (George Roberts), Ben Wellington, Harry Williams (Will Hardy), James Crothers, Leon Appiah, Rhys Morgan.

Scorers: H Williams (try) R Morgan (con)