SEASIDERS OUT-WITTED BUT NOT OUT-CLASSED

PENARTH 14 RHIWBINA 36 – Saturday 8 October 2016

Despite facing opponents from a higher division, the Seasiders maintained their form from last week’s success at St Peters and looked very comfortable for much of this SWALEC Plate first round tie. After early pressure was relieved by a penalty award to the Squirrels, Penarth came storming back and worked the ball securely through several phases before Alex Thau crossed for the opening try, converted by Tom Smith.

Rhiwbina weren’t taking this lying down either and soon a long kick into the Seasiders’ 22 was run into touch by Tom Smith under pressure. The line-out was driven expertly and centre Josh Davies pulled a try back, even though Rhydian Morris missed the conversion. He didn’t miss with his second place-kick after a few minutes’ pressure and a penalty award for a 7-8 lead after 13 minutes.

The game was being played at a cracking pace and while neither side was flagging, the Penarth pack definitely held the upper hand. The backs too were showing a good deal of enterprise, with Ben Donovan and Paul Collett combining well down the right flank. The referee was also taking a close interest in the Squirrels’ methods and the Seasiders had a chance to retake the lead, but the penalty was missed and the last kick of the half saw Rhiwbina converting one of their own to lead 7-11 at the break.

Although the visitors maintained the pressure at the beginning of the second half and converted another penalty to widen the gap to seven points, the Seasiders had unfinished business and decisively punished a poor Rhiwbina clearance with a score-levelling try. A lengthy siege from a catch-and-drive was finally ended as lock Owen Lloyd, who had excelled throughout, burst through a gap to score by the posts.

Unfortunately, that try marked the high water point of Penarth’s afternoon and while the hosts never stopped playing, the visitors were able to turn the screw and secure the tie. In the space of thirteen minutes around the hour mark, they scored three times, adding fifteen points and the game was over. First, a combination of slick three-quarter play and a missed tackle allowed centre Charlie Elton to score from half-way, then after another Morris penalty, a well-supported backs move was finished by blindside flanker Jesse Crystal.

The Seasiders finished well, dominating the remaining 13 minutes, but without registering any further scores. Several promising moves came to nothing and then on the stroke of full-time, they suffered the ultimate indignity as the Squirrels stole a 5m line-out and replacement Richie Myers scored unopposed.

It was a familiar story for Penarth; no player had a bad game and several showed real class. It was just that Div 1 East Central Rhiwbina were that little bit cleverer in the back division and four tries to two told you all you needed to know about an entertaining and otherwise close encounter.

League leaders Llantrisant come to Athletic Field this coming Saturday with a record of Played: 4, Won: 4, but nevertheless lost 33-12 away at Division 1 East Central Mountain Ash in the Plate.

PENARTH Tom Smith, Paul Collett, Ben Donovan, Tom Luck ©, James Crothers (James Docherty), Adam Lewis (Owen Rees), Rhys Morgan (Tom Hillman), Richard Merrett (Sean O’Sullivan), Mason Good, Alan Doyle, Matt Allen, Owen Lloyd, Scott Mackie, Alex Thau, Chris Mortimer (Jerome Bryan)

Scorers: Alex Thau, Owen Lloyd (tries), Tom Smith (2 conv.)

Division 2 East Central

Saturday 15th October 2016

PENARTH v Llamtrisant

The Athletic Field, Lavernock Road

Kick-off 2.30pm