PRESSURE TELLS ON SEASIDERS IN THE END
Abertysswg 32-22 Penarth (HT 15-15)
The Seasiders have started the new season oozing class, but still find themselves without a win in the opening two games. Both opponents have employed high-pressure strategies, which Penarth initially adapted to well, only to be ground down themselves in the final minutes.
The breakdown continues to be a problem, as Llanharan had successfully denied the Seasiders quick ball a fortnight ago, while Abertysswg feasted on a plentiful supply of penalties in the same area this week.
The hosts were clearly aiming to use the scrum as an attacking weapon with a huge number eight being the key and this bore fruit as early as the 3rd minute as their outside-half received a pass from the back of the scrum and fed his inside centre coming in at an angle and under the posts.
This stung Penarth into action as they gained field position in the home 22. Two drives from the maul under the posts were followed by a swift intervention from Morgan Williams before pin-point passing put Ben Wellington in at the corner.
It was nip-and-tuck all the way now until the last seconds of the game. For a time, the Falcons were in the ascendancy as they moved further ahead with a penalty and then a well-worked try from their full-back, leading 15-5 after twenty minutes. But the Seasiders were always in the game and a Josh Hurley penalty closed the gap before a wonderful passage of play brought them level. The restart was returned with interest and the hosts were forced to minor it. The goal-line drop-out led to a classic Harry Wood counter attack and a Tom Griffiths try for a half-time score of 15-all.
The second half started with Penarth on top, only for problems to arise in the 22 with scoring passes going astray. At this point Morgan Williams was forced to retire with a knee injury and James Docherty came on as a replacement. The hard work continued throughout a scoreless third quarter, before the Seasiders finally got their noses in front on the hour. Once again a well-managed maul with debutant Ethan Barry to the fore provided the platform for Harry Williams to force his way over in the corner.
Having seen their way clear to a hard-fought win, Penarth were brought down to earth with a bang as the Falcons, who’d previously looked as if they wouldn’t last 80 minutes, suddenly move up a gear and pulled the scores level with a try. With ten minutes remaining, the Falcons attacked frantically, gaining yet another penalty in front of the posts to open up a three-point lead. They claimed the winning try with a minute to go after a lengthy siege finally broke the Seasiders’ resistance. Penarth still found time for a response only for the scoring pass in the home 22 to be adjudged forward.
PENARTH:
Josh Hurley, Harry Williams, Andy Richards, Rhys Beynon, Ben Wellington (Joe Williams), Morgan Williams (James Docherty), Spencer Robinson, Harry Wood, Ethan Barry, Geraint Williams (Sean O’Sullivan), Dan Cahalane, Cam Sultana, Josh Spragg, Miles Jones, Tom Griffiths.
Scorers: Wellington (try), Griffiths (try), H.Williams (try), Hurley (2 conversions, penalty)
