SEASIDERS STAYING ON TOP
The weather was the clear winner again last Saturday, with only three games going ahead in the Swalec Welsh National Leagues. This should have left the Seasiders’ promotion campaign on hold and, sure enough, their game at Tylorstown was postponed due to a frozen pitch at Penrhys Park.
However, luck was with Penarth as they tightened their grip on top spot in Division 3 (SE) due the one game that did go ahead. Over the other side of Cardiff, the pitch at the Harlequins Playing Field was playable and erstwhile league leaders St.Peters were able to take on fifth-placed Heol y Cyw, undefeated in the league since the middle of October.
No doubt they now wish they hadn’t, as ‘Cyw confirmed their reputation as promotion banana skins with a tidy 14-3 win which brings them level on points with fourth-placed Aberdare.
This has to be very much to the Seasiders’ liking, as the Rocks have now lost their game in hand, while remaining two points adrift. This makes their scheduled visit to the Athletic Field this coming Saturday even more critical for the Cardiff club, as defeat will mean probable elimination from the promotion race. Aberdare know what this feels like.
It’s important too for Penarth, as the top of a league table is no place to lose concentration. Meanwhile Tylorstown are due to visit Treherbert, who lost 5-61 at the Athletic Field on Boxing Day.
The real concern for St.Peters is that they’ve already paid one visit to the Athletic Field this season, in the Swalec Plate. On that occasion, they came off second best as the Seasiders went through to a third round tie at home to Aberdare with a 13-7 win.
In fact, the Seasiders have now won nine consecutive games in all competitions since they lost 12-18 at St.Peters in the middle of September, reaching a point in the season where fear of defeat simply isn’t an issue any more.
With strength in depth in most positions and a good spread of try-scorers across the back division (Rhys Lakin, Liam Bevan and Steve Roberts with four each, Owain George and Chris Roberts with three) and a pack playing with skill and intensity, it’s all looking good.
That’s not to say that they’re the best team in the division yet, but they’ve defeated all their closest rivals, won more games, scored more tries etc. They’re getting there.
OTHER RESULTS:
ST.PETERS 3-14 HEOL-Y-CYW