SEASIDERS TRIES TOO MUCH FOR THE LIONS
PENARTH (12) 37 LLANISHEN (3) 15
The Seasiders have consistently dealt with the Lions over the last two seasons as both clubs have risen from Division 2 to Division 1. They usually do this by way of simply out-scoring the opposition in terms of tries and having already notched up 77 in their previous 12 games, this seemed to be the best approach.
All the more so when Llanishen made life very difficult in the opening half-hour as Penarth struggled for possession and failed to gain their usual dominance in the set piece. Luckily Rhys Beynon is mining a thick seem of form at present and he blew the game apart with a dazzling solo. Receiving a pass on his own 10m line, he sliced through the defence to score the game’s opening try.
This definitely settled the Seasiders as they fell back on the maul as means of attack and having driven a line-out to the line for a penalty, they pushed the resulting scrum over for a Miles Jones try. The Lions pulled three points back just before half-time.
Leading 12-3 at the break, Penarth lost no time in getting the scoreboard moving. An attacking line-out in the Llanishen 22 was tapped back by Miles Jones to Mason Good, who dived over in the corner. The Lions were much encouraged as a storming dash along the touchline by blindside flanker Solomon Simon brought them their first try, but the Seasiders’ pack were in their element as they drove another scrum over the line for a second Miles Jones try and a 200-point club milestone for the captain.
Now leading 24-8, the result was probably now a formality and so it proved. A wonderful handling movement involving several players was finished with a flourish by ‘outside-half-for-a -day’ Spencer Robinson. A second try for the visitors four minutes from was only a brief pause before a stunning final act.
On the brink of full-time, we were treated to a penalty kick for three points by Andy Richards, but this didn’t quite run the clock down and Llanishen had to restart. As Harry Williams fielded the kick on his own twenty-two you might have expected a kick to touch to finish the game. However, that’s not the Penarth way and the stylish full-back simply played what was in front of him as he accelerated across the 10m line. No-one could lay a finger on him as he completed the score.
Another six try win for a new total of 83 with the Seasiders visibly easing away from St.Joseph’s and now leading the table by six points. With five games to go, most of them tricky fixtures, with a visit to 5th-placed Rhydyfelin next item on the agenda, it’s anyone’s guess how this will all end up. One thing’s for sure: the Seasiders are definitely giving it their best shot.
Head Coach Matt Bolton writes ….
- A great performance in challenging conditions against resilient opposition. While there are still areas of our game to improve, the coaching team felt this was one of our best performances of the season. It’s great to stay at the top of the league with some crucial games ahead!
