SEASIDERS LOSE THE PLOT, BUT STILL WIN THE TIE
Penarth 22-20 Rhymney (HT – 14-10)
Fair enough, some players were rested, it was a bit breezy and Rhymney were a lively bunch, but why was this dreadful game of rugby such a worrying echo of last week’s forgettable second half? Of course, the common factor was the Seasiders and we know they struggle to adapt to stop-start games with lengthy delays, but why (apart from two of their three tries being interceptions) did Rhymney come so close to winning?
Penarth started well enough, playing into a stiff breeze from the Lavernock Road end. The wind had kept them pinned inside their own 22 for 5 minutes before Rhys Beynon crashed one up the middle. From the breakdown, James Docherty slung a wide miss pass out to Harry Roberts, who fed George Roberts on the 22 for a sharp finish.
However, cue interception No.1. Another great build-up by the Seasiders and just the one sloppy pass on the 22 allowed outside centre Liam (Chopper) Davies to pluck the ball out of the air and sprint 80m to score under the posts. 7-all.
Penarth maintained the pressure as a 20-metre maul to the line ended up with Tom Griffiths being held up. In the meantime, Rhymney managed to gain enough field position to convert a 25m penalty for a 7-10 lead. But Penarth soon nosed ahead once more as Man of the Match Rhys Beynon again made the break-through, this time down the right touchline, with George Roberts rounding the last defender for his second try.
Leading 14-10 at half-time and with the wind now at their backs, the Seasiders must have been looking forward to an avalanche of points in the second half, but this simply didn’t happen. Instead Penarth preferred to keep the ball in hand and generally rush things. This led to frustration, which brought errors, such as a failure to react quickly enough to a rare attack by the Brewers on 65 minutes featuring Liam (Chopper) Davies, who scored out wide for a 14-15 lead.
Chaos ensued as various cards were awarded, including one for Liam (Chopper) Davies. Josh Hurley converted the penalty from that one to reclaim the lead at 17-15. Cue interception No.2, as Liam Jones gleefully grounded in the corner, believing he’d won the match.
Just enough time left for the Seasiders to work their way in to the Rhymney 22 and a line-out. This was their final chance to avoid defeat and a worked move was clearly on. Sam Davies took a clean catch and Spencer Robinson found Hurley coming in at an angle and arrowing towards the far corner flag. The unconverted try was enough and Penarth somehow emerged as 22-20 winners.
Next Saturday, it’s back to Division Three East Central action as old favourites Fairwater are the visitors to the Athletic Field
PENARTH:
Josh Hurley, George Roberts (Leon Appiah), Andy Richards, Rhys Beynon, James Crothers, James Docherty, Rhys Morgan (Spencer Robinson), Geraint Williams (Harry Wood), Tom Griffiths, Ryan Jones (Bradman Williams) Matt Allen, Andy Lang, Josh Spragg (Sam Davies), Miles Jones, Harry Roberts.
Scorers: G.Roberts (2 tries), Hurley (try, 1 penalty, 2 conversions),
