SEASIDERS GAVE IT THEIR BEST SHOT

Division 2 Cup, Semi-Final:

PENARTH 9 – 23 LLANHARAN (HT 9-13)
Of course it was disappointing, of course the Seasiders gave their all and left nothing out
there. Of course it was just like most games against Llanharan, but this time it was on
neutral territory at the Bridge Field, Bedwas in the semi-final of the Division 2 Cup.
As usual, the sides were both at full strength, but when the Seasiders were reduced to 13
men early in the second half due to two yellow cards, it left them with a mountain to climb in
such a closely-contested match.
The Dairymen established an early lead after Penarth had missed two earlier penalty
attempts and led 0-6 after 23 minutes. Then Josh Hurley found his range and hit back with
three consecutive penalties (the second being a monster effort from 53 metres) to put the
Seasiders into the lead 9-6 after 38 minutes.
Not a bad position to be in as half-time approached, but Llanharan were able to establish
rare field position in the Penarth 22 and made the most of it. Successive drives and penalty
advantage brought them to the line, where Joe Buckle claimed the first try of the game and a
9-13 lead after 40 minutes.
The second half began badly as Ryan Hall stepped in to halt a counter-attack by the
Dairymen, but instead found himself on the wrong end of a yellow card. Sensing an obvious
advantage, the Dairymen stormed into the attack minutes later. They mauled a line-out to
the line, only for the referee to penalise a pulled-down maul and send Alex Thau off as well.
For a few wonderful minutes, 13-man Penarth fought back wonderfully and took the game to
Llanharan. The depleted pack was still going well with Ryan Jones putting in a huge shift,
but they eventually conceded a turnover at a ruck and the Dairymen’s number eight
slalomed through the defence. He was tackled short of the line, but numbers told as Jack
Walker followed up to score.
With the score now standing at 9-20 with 24 minutes remaining, the Seasiders had all the
work to do, but all the pressure was on them as well. With their numbers restored they set off
in search of a try, which alone could put them back in contention. Almost immediately
Robinson was tapping a penalty and sending Rhys Beynon through, but the move ended in
a knock-on.
The only score in the remaining minutes fell to Llanharan, as outside-half Scott Jones
brought his personal tally up to 13. The remaining minutes of the tie were played out in a
chaotic welter of handling errors and penalties for both sides, but the only genuine chance
came as Osian Coates broke the line, but was felled by a classic ankle-tap.
By then it was far too late to alter the outcome and the Dairymen rightly go forward to the
Principality Stadium next month to face Porthcawl.
PENARTH: Josh Hurley, George Roberts, Andy Richards (Osian Coates), Rhys Beynon,
Harry Williams, Ben Jones, Spencer Robinson, Geraint Williams (Harry Wood), Tom
Griffiths, Ryan Jones (Sam Sully), Cam Sultana, Dom Owen (Dan Cahalane), Miles Jones
©, Ryan Hall, Alex Thau
Scorers: Josh Hurley (3 penalties)