SEASIDERS POST RECORD SCORE
Having run the leaders so close a fortnight ago, the Seasiders were probably anticipating a gentler run-out against relegation-threatened Rhiwbina. What followed was not as easy as it might appear, but nevertheless resulted in a 14-0 try count.
This was, in all probability, the biggest win in a competitive game ever for Penarth RFC.
Firstly, hats off to the Squirrels, who fielded 14 players from the kick-off and played their hearts out for nearly eighty minutes. I wasn’t counting how many tackles Rhys Beynon put in, but it was a defensive effort that could only have been overshadowed by what was happening at the other end.
It all started rather slowly. Penarth threw everything at Rhiwbina for the first five minutes but started in ‘trying too hard’ mode and spurned a number of try-scoring chances. Settling down after all this excitement, they kept the ball in hand and Miles Jones went over for the first try. Fully ten minutes later George Roberts completed a fine break Andy Richards. Another ten minutes passed before a Beynon line-break reached the line and Roberts was on hand again to complete the score.
Spencer Robinson was next to score for the bonus point as the tries started to flow, tapping a penalty and haring down the touchline. Three more tries were to follow before half-time as Dom Owen and Joe Williams crossed, with Roberts completing his hat-trick following another Robinson break.
Early in the second half, Rhiwbina returned a kick long, which Ben Jones fielded before passing to Harry Williams, who put in an equally long return touch-finder. This was all good for the Squirrels as they moved to field I as it bounced in their 22, but Roberts appeared from nowhere, at speed and took the ball over for his fourth try. By now, it was quite obvious who was going to be man-of-the-match, but he hadn’t finished yet.
More pressure by the Seasiders from an attacking scrum, the ball being passed left and right before reaching who else, but George Roberts out on the wing. Penarth 53, Rhiwbina 0. Two more tries arrived before the hour mark. First James Candy and Evan Jones made breaks for the supporting Harry Wood to complete the formalities in fine style, then Miles Jones ripped possession from Rhiwbina and sprinted in from the 22.
Eleven tries so far and there were still three more to come in the final twenty minutes. Andy Richards finished a three-quarter move on 66 minutes, then Roberts claimed his sixth try in bizarre fashion as the Squirrels tried to pass their way out of trouble along their own line. In possibly the shortest interception try on record, Roberts collared a pass and more-or-less fell over the line.
All that remained was another fine Evan Jones break, finished competently by James Candy.
A sterner test awaits next Saturday as the Seasiders travel up the Cynon valley to face Abercwmboi RFC.
Penarth: Ben Jones. George Roberts, Andy Richards, Rhys Beynon, Harry Williams, Joe Williams, Spencer Robinson (James Candy), Geraint Williams (Harry Wood), Tom Griffths (Mason Good), Ryan Jones (Alan Doyle), Will Odgers (Harrison Pugsley), Dom Owen, Kian Lloyd, Miles Jones ©, Evan Jones,
Scorers: Joe Williams (try, 7 conversions), George Roberts (6 tries), Miles Jones (2 tries), Spencer Robinson (try), Harry Wood (try), Andy Richards (try), James Candy (try).
WRU Division 1 East Central
Saturday 7th December 2024
Abercwmboi v PENARTH
Aberaman Park,
Cardiff Rd, Aberaman, CF44 6AX
Kick-off 2.30pm
