SEASIDERS STAND FIRM IN CHAOTIC VALE DERBY

Cowbridge 14-37 PENARTH (HT 7-12)
Back to league action and yet another stern test of Penarth’s credentials in prospect. The
final scoreline gives you no real idea of how hard a match this was, but the numbers don’t
lie, the Seasiders were by far the better side. Last week’s cup tie was all about ‘strength-in
depth’ for the squad, but this turned out to be more about character and composure.
The opening fifteen minutes were business as usual, as Penarth applied real pressure up
front and Spencer Robinson orchestrated waves of attacks. When the Cowbridge defence
broke after seven minutes, it was a simple score: penalty to touch, clean take from the line-
out, maul set, Brad Williams with the finish.
The visitors had established total superiority in the scrums from the outset, but this didn’t
necessarily mean possession or penalties, so Robinson decided to try another approach.
The scrum-half received a pass in his own 22 and proceeded to arc away towards the near
touchline before accelerating through a backpedalling defence to the line.
A combination of factors then intervened which sucked all the urgency out of the Seasiders.
No lack of effort on their part, but no chance to build any real momentum. They continued to
dominate, but the only further score in the half was Cowbridge pulling a score back in a rare
excursion to the Penarth 22 on 39 minutes,
Then there was a small matter of injuries. Josh Powell had retired to the touchline towards
the end of the first half, but was soon to be followed by Cam Sultana and Alex Thau.
However, this was no relief for Cowbridge, as Penarth continued to dominate. A Ben Jones
penalty extended the lead on 53 minutes, but in the next attacking move Robinson was
helped from the field to join his colleagues on the touchline. Then, as the Seasiders were
finally given recognition for all their good work in the tight, the dam broke and they moved
relentlessly away to a convincing win.
On the hour, they managed to keep a scrum straight, despite the hosts’ attempts to wheel it
and Ryan Hall picked up at the base before wrestling his way over in the corner. A furious
wave of attacking moves by Penarth followed, and as Tom Hillman finally drove to the line
amid a string of Cowbridge infringements, the referee had to intervene and award a penalty
try.
With ten minutes remaining, Cowbridge gained a second consolation try as everyone
stopped except the scrum half, who ran it in from 40m. Ben Jones converted another penalty
to make it 14-30. Then with the last play of the match, a cross-kick to the right found George
Roberts who was upended in a tackle but worked the ball free to Rhys Beynon, who was
shoulder-charged into touch. The referee considered this foul play and awarded a second
penalty try.
No game next week as Wales take on Georgia in the World Cup, but the Seasiders return to
the Athletic Field a week later as 7th -placed Cilfynydd are the visitors. The Division 2 East
Central table has a familiar look to it, as all three promoted clubs from last season’s Div 3
East Central occupy the top three places.

PENARTH: Harry Williams, George Roberts, Andy Richards, Rhys Beynon, Josh Powell
(Josh Hurley), Ben Jones, Spencer Robinson (Tom Hillman), Geraint Williams, Bradman
Williams, Ryan Jones (Sam Sully), Cam Sultana (Matt Allen), Dom Owen, Mike Lang, Rhys
Hall, Alex Thau (Mason Good)
Scorers: Bradman Williams (try), Spencer Robinson (try), Ryan Hall (try), Ben Jones (2

penalties, 1 conversion), 2 penalty tries.