TREHERBERT 18 PENARTH 13
SIGNS OF ring-rust marred Penarth's performance in the first game of the season, as they went down to penalties in a two-tries-each encounter against a home outfit that had the edge in coherent, determined rugby.
Critical to the result was the period just after half time when Penarth, now with the gusting breeze at their backs, laid a long siege to the home line without being able to breach a solid defence.
Early signs were optimistic for the visitors.
Despite early season unavailabilities meaning that prop Gary Power moved to second row with his place taken by coach Dai Morgan, ball was obtained regularly from set piece and from line out where James Roach took on the job of target.
After a settling period and conceding a penalty there was a brilliant break out from full back Steve Roberts, and clear evidence of potential fluidity in a back division centring on the hammer of Liam Bevan combined with the rapier of Rhys Lakin.
First blood to the latter as slick half back delivery ensured that Lakin could exploit a malformed defensive line and ghost through for a score.
The lead lasted only three minutes as Treherbert took advantage of one of their disproportionate number of penalty awards to regain the lead.
This slenderest advantage was all the home side managed, despite wind assistance, and it was the Penarth backs with consistent service from Owain George and Andrew Edwards who were playing all the creative rugby.
In particular, one touchline interchange between Roberts, Lloyd Davey and others shifted play the length of the park, and only scrambled defence prevented a second score.
Then came one of those match-deciding moments.
Ball kicked deep into the home defence was collected by home full back Morris, who saw a ragged formation before him so, instead of a conservative clearance kick, he set off downfield at pace.
Not only did he pull clear of three despairing tackles, his subsequent chip ahead was not safely gathered, allowing him to cap his determined follow-up putting toe to ball again and chasing over the line to touch down. A great solo effort.
So expectations of a mere one point deficit at half time were dashed.
But, showing character to come straight back with some irresistible forward pressure on the stroke of half time, all the visiting front eight piled over and it was flanker Geraint Blake claiming the points from under the heap.
With only a 13-10 deficit and the benefit of the breeze, an away result was odds on.
Sadly the inroads made by determined number eight Marc Devine and James Roach were isolated and the home defence held and held.
So, almost inevitably, after half an hour of the Penarth forwards doing everything except score, it was the home side – heartened by a string of penalties and a yellow card all in their favour – who crossed wide out for a score against the run of play.
Penarth did not give up and a rare penalty for them allowed replacement James Docherty to salvage a bonus point.
Penarth will be disappointed but should recognise that they are capable of better cohesion to bring to Saturday's home encounter against Tylorstown, 2.30pm at the Athletic Field.
Penarth: Steve Roberts (David Lerway); Lloyd Davey; Rhys Lakin; Liam Bevan; James Crothers; Andrew Edwards (James Docherty); Owain George; Marc Devine; Rob Pearce; Geraint Blake; James Roach; Gary Power; Dai Morgan (Daimion Blake); Rhys Blake; Richard Merrett (Capt).
OTHER RESULTS:
FAIRWATER 17 - 32 LLANDAFF NORTH
LLANDAFF 12 - 15 LLANISHEN
PENTYRCH 11 - 13 BRECON
ST. PETERS 8 - 11 ABERDARE
TYLORSTOWN 26 - 23 HEOL-Y-CYW