SEASIDERS SHINE UNDER THE LIGHTS
PENARTH 62-36 PENTYRCH (HT 31-8)
Playing this Penarth team anywhere at the moment is a hard task for any side but Pentyrch’s job was made even more difficult by this match being moved from the Athletic Pond to firm running track provided by Bro Morgannwg’s 4G pitch in Barry. With solid ground beneath their feet Penarth simply ran riot, collecting the 4 try bonus point within 25 minutes of kick off and scoring 10 tries in total to all but end the Tyrchs slim promotion chances.
It started early with something at the moment that is third only to death and taxes in terms of certainty, a Tom Griffiths try scored from a dominant rolling maul. Pentyrch got on the board shortly after with a penalty kick but from there on it was one way traffic until half time as the returning Alex Thau blasted through some weak tackles to cross next before Osian Coates and Harry Williams both dotted down out wide on the left wing. Pentyrch scambled over for reply but Rhys Beynon went over to give Penarth an unassailable 31-8 lead at half time, with Ben Jones adding the extras.
The second half saw Penarth lift their collective feet off the gas and Pentyrch, no doubt fired up by some harsh truths from the coaching team at half-time, came out with real intent and scored two quick fire tries to bring themselves right back into the match at 31-22 with half an hour still to play.
The Seasiders soon snapped themselves out their collective stupor and, as seems to be their way this season, simply turned up the dial and rattled off 4 tries in 10 minutes to put the match beyond any doubt. The first of these was scored by Joe Williams, before the insatiable try scoring machine that is Tom Griffiths completed his hat-trick with a quick fire double. Williams was at it again shortly after with the try of the night from his own 22 as he broke from the base of a rcuk exchange passes with Sam Sully and beat the cover defece to the score in the corner. At 55-22 it was all over with 20 minutes still to play.
The visitors, despite being comprehensively outgunned, kept coming and managed to get their fourth try of the night with just over 10 minutes to go to take something from the match. But it wasn’t over their as Andy Richards scored his first try of the season to take Penarth past the 60 point mark. Pentyrch did manage to get the last score to make it 62-36 but with a resurgent Caerphilly and unbeaten Llanharan to play in the next few weeks it would appear that their promotion push is probably over.
For Penarth a trip to Treharris awaits next before games against Llantwit Fardre and Taffs Well which will serve as a fitting test before the biggest game of the season so far as Penarth face old foes Llanharan in the Division 2 Cup Semi-Final at Bedwas on 23rd March.
Penarth: Harry Wood (Geraint Williams), Tom Griffiths, Ryan Jones (Sam Sully), Max Woodman, Dom Owen (Dan Calahane), Cam Sultana, Alex Thau (Rory Taylor), Miles Jones (c), Spencer Robinson, Ben Jones, Osian Coates, Rhys Beynon (Joe Williams), Andy Richards, George Roberts, Harry Williams
Scorers: T Griffiths (3 tries), J Williams (2 tries), H Williams (try), A Richards (try), O Coates (try), A Thau (try) R Beynon (try) B Jones (6 con)
