SEASIDERS RISE TO FOURTH
PENARTH 24 ABERCYNON 13 – Saturday 12 December 2015
The wind divided this rearranged fixture into a game of two halves, but the Seasiders carried on where they’d left off last week in Talgarth and expertly navigated the conditions to secure a seventh win of the season and climb to fourth in the table.
The visitors started with the wind at their backs and it took them only seven minutes to work themselves into a scoring position. Wing Liam Cooper-King brushed past some worryingly ineffectual defence to touch down in the corner.
Penarth weren’t simply content to sit it out though and took the game to Abercynon for most of the first half. The only problem was that they couldn’t gain any momentum at the breakdown, where the visitors’ superior technique snuffed out most of the Seasiders’ attacking moves. Despite being penned in their own 22 for long periods, Penarth kept their line intact and Abercynon were only able to add a couple of penalties to lead 13-0 at half-time. The wind continued unabated and certainly looked as if it was more than a 13-pointer. So it proved.
Within 2 minutes of the restart, the Seasiders had gained a 35m penalty, which Nathan Smith duly converted. Still no joy at the breakdown, but then a rare Abercynon fumble allowed Scot Mackie to launch a break and while Nathan Smith seemed to have put James Crothers in from 15 metres out, the winger was tackled into touch.
A further Smith penalty on 53 minutes closed the gap to 7 points, but Penarth had to wait until well into the final quarter before they finally got into their stride. Tom Luck made the decisive break, but got turned over in the tackle, yet continued pressure yielded a 5 metre scrum, from which Alan Doyle scored the equalising try.
At 13-13 it made perfect sense to wait for the penalties to come, rather than attempt anything too ambitious and this is how the Seasiders played it.. The only problem was converting them, but at the third attempt Smith popped one over from 20 metres and Penarth had their noses in front for the first time with four minutes remaining. Three minutes later the outside half pushed them a further three points ahead and Elliott Smith finally entered the fray with little time to make his mark. As usual, he made all the difference, setting up two mauls near the line, the second of which led to a second try, this time by Mike Clare.
This coming Saturday, 2nd-placed Barry are the visitors to the Athletic Field in another re-arranged fixture, having lost their SWALES Plate tie away at Porth Harlequins 6-38.
A week later, the traditional Boxing Day fixture this year against the Old Penarthians will be held at the Athletic Club on the 26th with an 11.30am kick off. This year, the game will be played for the Richard Thomas Memorial Trophy, in memory of the sad and unexpected loss of Richard ‘Dickie’ Thomas who starred for both clubs in the 80’s and 90’s. Added spice is given to the fixture this year as both clubs (having very successful seasons) have agreed to play full first XV’s in a fully competitive match.
PENARTH Huw Elias, Paul Collett (James Docherty), Adam Lewis, Tom Luck, James Crothers (Ben Donovan), Nathan Smith, Gareth Matthias, Jerome Bryan, Simon Barry, Alan Doyle (Sean O’Sullivan), Owain James, Mike Clare, Scott Mackie, Matt Allen, Tom Bartlett (Elliott Smith).
Scorers: Doyle, Clare (tries), Nathan Smith (3 penalties, one conversion).
Division 2 East Central
Saturday 19th December 2015
PENARTH v Barry
The Athletic Field
Kick-off 2.30pm
