SCORELESS SECOND HALF DOOMS SEASIDERS
Penygraig 17-14 Penarth (HT 7-14)
The most remarkable thing about this deeply disappointing fixture for Penarth was that it went ahead at all, given the month’s rainfall. Still, the pitch was playable and both teams went at it hammer and tongs after a long lay-off.
First blood to the home side, playing with a high wind at their backs. Having cleared their lines with wind assistance as a Penarth attack broke down, they made it as far as the visitors’ 22 before scrum-half Nathan Webber found a gap and strolled through to the posts.
The rest of the first quarter saw much too-ing and fro-ing as both sides struggled with the conditions, which at times resembled a monsoon (only with sleet and hail). Spencer Robinson was, as usual, trying his level best to set up scores, but he was eventually rewarded after a typical burst led to a penalty.
The Seasiders secured possession from the line-out and moved it wide, only for the ball to bounce loose. However, Ben Hill was on hand to grab it and feed Miles Jones wide on the left. The number eight fought his way to the for a well-deserved try.
From the restart, Penygraig continued to slow down Penarth possession at the breakdown and after several warnings, their number eight was rewarded with 10 minutes in the bin for ‘hands in the ruck’. The remainder of the first half was mostly played out in each side’s 22, as play moved backwards and forwards as a result of either wind or Robinson’s urgings.
With half-time approaching with no further scores, the Seasiders won another penalty in the ‘Graig half and as line-out possession was moved infield, Alan Doyle drove it up and found himself in possession of an unexpected line-break. Seizing the main chance, he kept going, sold two dummies as he surged past the 22-metre line and then skilfully fed the supporting Ben Hill for a try under the posts.
Leading 14-7 and now with wind advantage at the beginning of the second half, an away win seemed inevitable, but nothing was to go Penarth’s way in the following forty minutes and they proved unable to add to their score.
The first set-back was the loss of Robinson for ten minute as he tackled back to foil a ‘Graig break-out. This was soon followed by an eruption of violence triggered by one of the home players, which led to a long delay and nothing more than a penalty for the Seasiders.
All the pressure was coming from the visitors, but somehow every initiative found a wayto break down and Penarth found it impossible to exploit field position and ‘Graig were consistently let off the hook.
As with the earlier fixture at the Athletic Field, the closing five minutes again proved decisive as Penarth struggled to extend their seven-point lead. With time almost up, a missed tackle wide on the right allowed one of the replacements through to the line and a draw seemed inevitable as the Graig outside-half lined up the conversion and promptly sliced it wide.
Surely a remarkable let-off and a Penarth win? No, the referee had other ideas and the match was to continue until the 92nd minute. The hosts sensed an unlikely win was now within their grasp and threw everything at the Seasiders, with the almost inevitable result being a try in the corner by right wing Craig Jones, which proved to be the actual last score of the game.
No further action is scheduled for Penarth until the end of the Six Nations when bottom club Cardiff Quins are due to visit the Athletic Field.
PENARTH:
Rhys Morgan © (Harry Williams), Ben Hill, Owain Lord, Rhys Beynon (Andy Richards), Ben Hill, James Docherty, Spencer Robinson, Geraint Williams (Harry Wood), Mason Good, Alan Doyle, Andy Lang (Tom Griffiths), Alex Shore, Matt Allen, Miles Jones, Thaine Baker
Scorers: Miles Jones (t) Ben Hill (t) James Docherty (2c)
