SEASIDERS BOW OUT OF CUP TO DAIRYMEN
PENARTH (0) 7 LLANHARAN (7) 17
After last week’s frustrating defeat at the hands of Llanharan in the league, rivalries were renewed on Saturday as both teams went head-to-head again in the first round of this year’s cup competition. Games between these two clubs have come thick and fast recently, with Penarth still hurting from defeat in the semi-finals of the cup back in March.
The cup always provides the opportunity to test new players and combinations, and this was no different with no less than 8 changes in the starting line up compared to the visit to the dairyfield 7 days ago. This was a display of strength in depth though which has developed following a strong start to the Athletic Team’s season (winning all four league matches to date), as a competent and youthful Penarth XV started brightly and sought to dominate early proceedings.
It was Penarth who were camped out in the visitor’s half for the majority of the first 40 minutes, moving through phases and showing some patience in attack. Llanharan’s defence did its job however and only a sharp Harry Roberts break threatened the tryline, being agonisingly held up at the foot of the goalpost. Llanharan’s resistance eventually rewarded them, with a quick fire try following a turnover penalty – in what was their only venture into the Penarth 22 in the opening half (0-7 at Half Time).
The second half presented much of the same, with Penarth steadily keeping possession without overly threatening the scoreboard. Following a debatable Llanharan try (a clear knock on not spotted), patient build up in the opposition 22 provided Evan Jones with enough space to sneak over in the corner. Rhys Mottram slotting an excellent conversion from out wide to bring the hosts within touching distance.
On 60 minutes the game was put to bed by Llanharan with the final score of the game, and as much as a now depleted Penarth team tried, they could not bridge the gap on the scoreboard – finishing at 17-7 to the visitors. With much for the coaches and team to analyse, another healthy crowd will have been pleased to see younger players making the step to first team rugby with Rhys Mottram and Alex Abel’s performances a good sign of the quality and depth the senior squad possesses going forward. Credit goes to Man of the Match Rhys Beynon for his outstanding commitment and perseverance against formidable opposition.
Captain for the day Owen Lloyd said “Credit goes to Llanharan for taking their opportunities and getting the result, considering the amount of possession we had throughout the game, turning territory and possession into points is certainly a work on for us moving forward. However whilst it wasn’t the result we wanted there were marked improvements on the previous week’s inefficiencies and performance”
Back to league action on Saturday as Abercynon visit the Athletic Ground. With three wins from three (including scoring 87 points and 52 points against Porth Harlequins and Llanharan respectively), we can expect an entertaining fixture between two high scoring outfits.
Penarth: Josh Hurley, Leon Appiah, James Candy (Ben Litherland), Rhys Beynon, James Crothers, Rhys Mottram (Ifan Sion), Tom Hillman, Geraint Williams, Bradman Williams (Mason Good), Ryan Jones (Sam Sully), Owen Lloyd ©, Dom Owen, Harry Roberts, Alex Thau (Alex Abel), Evan Jones
Scorers: Evan Jones (try), Rhys Mottram (conversion).
WRU Division 1 East Central
Saturday 12th October 2024
PENARTH v Abercynon
Athletic Ground, Penarth
Kick-off 2.30pm
© Owain George 08-Oct-24
