SEASIDERS’ (PRE) CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
Only seven games were completed out of the entire Swalec league programme last Saturday, so the Seasiders’ fixture at Heol-y-Cyw was always a non-starter. It’s never a good idea to build up a stock of matches in hand, but at least this time no-one in Division 3(SE) got anything done.
This leaves Penarth poised at the half-way point of the season and in an enviably strong position. Of course, they still occupy second place in the division behind leaders St.Peters, but this is entirely down to bonus points and the Seasiders certainly looked the stronger of the two teams when they met in the Swalec Bowl a fortnight ago.
The key fixture in the immediate future is probably the way match at Tylorstown’s Penrhys Park on 9th January and they’re surely fully paid up members of the Div 3 (SE) promotion group. The good news is that although the Rhondda Fach club were hotly fancied at the start of the season and have only lost one league game, it was at the Athletic Field that they came unstuck back in September when tries by Rhys Lakin, Owain George and David Lerway gained Penarth a 28-17 win.
However, with the weather getting warmer as Christmas approaches, there’s a better chance that the Boxing Day fixture at the Athletic Field will go ahead. The Seasiders’ opponents on the opening day of the season are the visitors and since Treherbert have only managed two more league wins since, a repeat of their 18-13 success would be most welcome as they continue to struggle against relegation.
Penarth will obviously take a different view and a bonus-point win will be the natural target, while St.Peters visit Llandaff North (bizarrely without a home win so far this season) and Tylorstown travel to fourth-placed Aberdare.
Talking of whom (and the suspense has been frankly unbearable), the draw for the third round of the Swalec Plate has finally been made and it’s no real surprise to find that the Seasiders have been drawn against ‘local’ opposition again. Thankfully it’s at home again and it’s Aberdare this time! Saturday 16th January with a place in the last sixteen at stake (that’s three games from a final at the Millennium Stadium).
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all and from all at Penarth RFC. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda. Let’s hope there’s an excellent 2010 in prospect.
Welsh National League Division 3 (South-East)
Saturday 26th December 2009
PENARTH v TREHERBERT
The Athletic Field, Lavernock Road. Kick-off - 12.30pm