PENARTH 25 – BRECON 14
HOW TO DO IT THE HARD WAY
Penarth went into Saturday’s fixture firm favourites; coming off a string of victories and with home advantage against a side which has lost the knack of winning. Nevertheless in 40 minutes with a blustery gale at their backs they contrived to come in at 13-14 down.
The home crowd were distinctly restless at this stage as Brecon’s points had been gifted by slack play.
Thankfully the home pack decided that they’d had enough of generosity and took such rigid control of the second half that the visitors could not take advantage of their share of the elements because they didn’t have the ball.
Despite the dominance of the wind the weather had been kind. The rain subsided, there were flashes of sunshine and the surface held up well. So Penarth sensibly started by belting the ball the length of the park. Having got there they then lost the plot and wasted significant attacking overlaps and allowing the visitors to snuff out any threat.
With only a penalty following an Owain George dart a period of sterile to and fro between the 22’s was broken when a slow clearance by Andrew Edwards was charged down leaving a clear run through for Owen Morgan on the Brecon wing.
Half time was getting ever closer when George again showed quick reflexes to use bobbling ball secured by Liam Bevan to pivot around the visiting back row for a dash in under the posts.
The respectability this gave the score line lasted only five minutes as the home defence merely looked on at a scruffy and failed Brecon drop goal attempt whilst the alert visitors nipped through to ground it.
James Thorpe replaced Rhys Blake at hooker and Liam Bevan picked up another penalty but the home side took an uncomfortable one point deficit in with them at the break.
What a difference in the second half. A case for ‘man of the match’ could be made for any of the home pack although flanker Marc Devine’s work rate was outstanding and the Penarth second row was a powerhouse.
The forward dominance allowed the first blow to be struck from the wing when flier Lloyd Davey was released out wide and backed himself successfully against the Brecon full back.
The try conversion from wide out was spectacular. In the worst conditions possible for kicking Liam Bevan struck cleanly and powerfully through. It was a highlight in a personal contribution of the highest order. Bevan didn’t score but he did everything else. Particularly on a day when loose and bobbling ball was especially dangerous time and again he pounced to secure it and deny attackers or make it available for the home side to use.
At last having a points cushion the pack played at keeping possession. They dominated the set pieces and were unfortunate on more than one occasion that referee Neil Howells was reluctant to recognise a scrum that had been turned giddy. The mauling was powerful, but especially the pick and drive was exploited to work the home side steadily down the park. Eventually this paid dividends in points as well as security. Relentless pressure could no longer be resisted and with what could have been any one of eight touching down it was a delighted second row James Roach who put the result safe with ten minutes remaining.
Penarth can take a break from their efforts now. Next week is the cup, (or plate, bowl, saucer or whichever piece of tableware the whim of the WRU has designated). Anyway Penarth have a ‘bye’ in the first round. Then there is the start of the Autumn internationals, So the 14th November is the next league fixture, away at Llandaff North but watch out for possible friendly fixtures in the meantime.
Penarth:- David Lerway(Chris Poole); Lloyd Davey; Steve Roberts; Liam Bevan; James Crothers; Andrew Edwards; Owain George; Richard Merrett(capt.); Rhys Blake(Thorpe); Carwyn Griffiths; Darrol Howden( Rob Pearce); Gareth Williams; James Roach; Marc Devine; Elliot Smith(Richard Ball).
OTHER RESULTS:
FAIRWATER 24-13 PENTYRCH
HEOL-Y-CYW 17-7 LLANDAFF NORTH
ST.PETERS 26-12 LLANDAFF
TREHERBERT P-P ABERDARE
TYLORSTOWN 17-15 LLANISHEN
THE COACHES VIEWPOINT & ASSESSMENT - by MIKE CLARE
I can confirm the coaching team are ‘over the moon’ with Saturday’s win at home to Brecon. I would admit to being a little apprehensive before the game as Brecon are a very dangerous side and we were making a number of changes following last week’s great win at Llanishen. That allied to this being the last game before a 3 week break from league rugby gave us a little pressure to deal with.
It duly took this reshaped line up a little time to hit their stride. Having had the considerable wind advantage in the first half, coming in 14-13 down at half time was not where we wanted to be. However, these guys continue to impress the coaching team with their determination and workrate, and above all else Saturday showed they are also now developing a level of maturity and game sense beyond their still tender average age.
There was no sense of panic during half-time, the guys were focused and clear in the game plan they needed to execute.
The second half was an absolute joy for Penarth supporters and the ‘rugby purist’ with forward domination the order of the day (with no little help from Liam Bevan). Scoring two superbly crafted tries we were able to close out the game in the end with a winning margin of 25-14.
After the game the joy/relief of the players was clear to see and we take our hat off to them for their outstanding efforts!!
One sad note from the game was the loss of Rhys ‘Reg’ Blake who has sustained a dislocated shoulder and will be out of action for some time. We all wish him well in his recovery.