SEASIDERS’ PATIENCE BRINGS REWARD
Penarth 30-10 Tylorstown (HT 18-3)
It didn’t take long for Penarth to work out that the Tigers, despite their lofty league position, weren’t the side they were as recently as last season. While the win was never in doubt, it still took until the 80 minutes were almost up before the bonus point was deservedly clinched.
Early penalties from James Docherty secured a 6-0 lead inside the first ten minutes and the Seasiders were looking like a well-oiled machine. Tylorstown, on the other hand, were already cutting up rough, a trend that was to continue throughout.
A slick move from the three-quarters led to nothing as George Roberts was taken out off the ball after sending a grubber ahead, but the next phase of play brought a fine opening try. Docherty slipped a pass out of the tackle to Andy Richards, who made a clean line-break before setting Harry Williams up for a 25m run to the posts.
The Tigers briefly gained enough field position to benefit from a penalty award as Penarth lost a player to the bin, but the home side finished the half strongly. Possession from a scrum was moved quickly out to Ben Hill’s wing, where he straightened up nicely before releasing Roberts, who scored in the corner for an 18-3 lead at half time.
The second half, where we might have expected the Seasiders to waste little time in securing the bonus point, descended into confusion for most of the time under a steady procession of whistles.
Penarth eventually managed to get away with enough continuity to secure the third try as late as the 73rd minute. Spencer Robinson set off from a scrum on half-way, finding Miles Jones in support. The number eight broke the line before passing back to the scrum-half, who set replacement flanker Thaine Baker off for a sprint to the posts.
As the minutes ticked away and a bonus point looked farther off than ever, Tylorstown even managed a rare visit to the home 22, where they secured a try to bring the score back to an unlikely 25-10.
Penarth patience finally brought its reward just before the final whistle. Robinson broke again from the base of a scrum and ran towards the touchline before an inside pass to the looping Harry Williams put the outside centre into the gap and accelerating smoothly away from the cover for a well-deserved bonus-point try in the corner.
Next Saturday sees the 4th-placed Seasiders away at Tremorfa Park, visiting St.Albans. The ‘Buns lie in 8th place, having won only one of their five games so far.
PENARTH:
Rhys Morgan ©, George Roberts, Harry Williams, Andy Richards, , Ben Hill, James Docherty (Kevin Maddox), Spencer Robinson, Geraint Williams, Mason Good, Alan Doyle, Matt Allen, Alex Shore, Josh Spragg (Thaine Baker), Miles Jones, Richie Bowen
Scorers: Harry Williams (2 tries), George Roberts (try), Thaine Baker (try) James Docherty (2 pen, 3 conv).
Athletic step up in class
Penarth Athletic 19-38 Beddau 2nds
After the loss of the scheduled league fixture against St Albans to a waterlogged pitch the Athletic kept up their record as the most active team in South Wales with a hastily arranged fixture against Beddau 2nds. It promised to be a real test of how far the Athletic had come given that Beddau’s 1st XV play in the Championship.
The initial signs were not great. Within 15 minutes Penarth found themselves 21-0 down and in awe of the free flowing rugby in front of them. It appeared that this may have been a step too far for the Athletic, but as they have been doing all season they stepped up to the plate and managed to strike back with a try of their own from the impressive Morgan Smith, getting a run out at his preferred inside centre position.
Whilst Beddau struck twice more before half time to go into the break 7-33 up the signs of a Penarth revival were clear to see. And so it came to pass in the second half as playing with the wind at their backs the Athletic won a compelling second half by 12 points to 5 with two tries from outside half Owen Rees who was making his seasonal debut following a string of injury problems.
Rees and Smith not only shared all of Penarth’s 19 points but also the man of the match honours in a performance that the whole squad should be proud of. Next week sees the Athletic have a chance to avenge their cup defeat to Barry as they welcome the green and blacks to the Athletic field for a Dvision One fixture where Penarth will seek to extend their lead at the top of the division.
Team
1. Sean O’Sullivan
2. Liam Richards
3. Ryan Jones
4. Andy Lang
5. Ben Heywood
6. Rob Rees
7. Sam Davies
8. Elliot Smith
9. Chris Mortimer
10. Owen Rees
11. Tom Addicott
12. Morgan Smith
13. Hugh Leach
14. Reece McClelland
15. Nick Haynes
Subs, Lloyd Ellis, Iwan Baker, Richard Ball, Adam Clarke
Scorers: Morgan Smith (t/2c) Owen Rees (2t)
