Following last weeks poor showing Penarth were looking to bounce back, away, against the leagues in-form team Heol-y-Cyw.
No sooner had this game began than a vicious and relentless brawl broke
out involving almost all of the 30 players on the pitch, culminating in
a Heol y Cyw player sending a barrage of punches from behind into
Geraint 'Trev' Blake, leaving the Penarth flanker unconscious on the
floor. Reports later confirmed that he had suffered a broken cheekbone
and a broken nose in the assault. Our best wishes go out to him and we
hope he makes a speedy recovery.
Despite the offences seeming quite clear cut to the on looking
supporters, the referee decided there was no case to answer and settled
for a quick chat with both captain's.
The ruckus had differing effects on both teams, Penarth being clearly
rattled and having to cope with the loss of one of their most
consistent, stand out performers, whilst Heol Y Cyw were obviously
buoyed by their exploits. The home team went on to quickly grab a 10
point lead from a well taken try and a subsequent penalty.
At that stage it looked as though the league leaders were unable to put
up any answer, especially to the enterprising and elusive Heol Y Cyw
back three, but respond they did with a superbly crafted try, with
forwards and backs combining to take play into the home side's 22. The
forwards created quick ball 15 metres out and when Liam Bevan took the
ball at pace, he spotted a chink of light, his usual bullocking style
was traded in for a moment as he dummied, stepped and sped his way
through the gap for a touchdown under the posts. James Docherty
converted.
Unfortunately, the forwards thoughts still seemed to be elsewhere and a
fumble at the kick off gave their opponents valuable territory again.
Whilst they tried valiantly to turnover possession they remained camped
in their own half for some time. A Heol Y Cyw kick to the corner was
well marshaled by Chris Roberts who cleared well, but yet again it was
the ensuing chase that let Penarth down and Heol Y Cyw's lively fullback
and left wing yet again created confusion and it was the winger himself
that finished the move.
Penarth did pull back a James Docherty penalty before half time and went in at the break 17-10 down.
Considering the brutal start to the game there were signs Penarth had
pulled themselves back together, their scrum was taking the home pack
backwards almost at a jogging pace and the home back line were clearly
showing their concern about Liam Bevan's attacking power as they
repeatedly sent 3 men in to make a tackle on him. Surely this alone
would mean space for the speedsters that had as yet gone unnoticed, and
so it would prove.
From the kick off Penarth set about dominating the second period,
attacking the scrum and lineout and producing quick ball for their back
line who were looking more and more dangerous all the time.
Chris Roberts came into the game more, firstly with a stunning 40 yard
solo run which took Penarth deep into Heol YCyw territory, then
finishing off a sustained period of pressure with a change of pace and
enough power to ride a couple of tackles on his way over the
whitewash.(unconverted) 17 - 15.
Heol Y Cyw briefly struck back with a penalty but the upper hand was
still with the Seasiders.
Next it was the turn of the pack who rumbled their sizeable mass up the
pitch and eventually gained a five metre lineout. Surely, only one
outcome, but that wasn't to be as first the lineout went astray, then
their drives were repelled by the aggressive Heol Y Cyw unit. This
tactic had however sucked in plenty of defenders and with Bevan
attracting the remaining defenders the ball was sent behind his back
where Steve & Chris Roberts used their skills to put James Crothers in
for the try.(unconverted) 20-20
Constant pressure around the Home 22 ensued although Penarth were
looking to be their own worst enemies as they kicked attacking ball away
on 4 separate occasions.
Eventually, the time seemed right for a winning score and after the pack
secured good ball from a lineout, James Docherty made amends for his
earlier wastefulness to strike with the sweetest of drop goals from
fully 40metres.
Two minutes to play. Surely that was the 4 points secured??
For the first time in the game Penarth secured the kick off effectively
and looked as though they could comfortably see out the remaining 2
minutes just by keeping hold of the ball. It was not to be, a comedy of
errors with one pass flying over Docherty's head before having to be
recovered and kicks not being made to touch gave Heol Y Cyw one last say
in the result.
They fielded the loose kick on half way and drove play up to Penarth's
10metre line, at the ruck the referee managed to see an infringement by
a Penarth player and awarded the penalty to the home side.
Home fly half Mike Huckridge struck the ball beautifully and the game
was drawn.
The 2 points keeps The Seasiders at the top of the table, though
Tylorstown are now chasing hardest of all with their bonus point win
over Treherbet on Friday night.
Sure enough the next fixture is away against Tylorstown, Friday 19th
March 7:15pm kick off.
PENARTH:
1. Richard Merrett
2. Gary Power
3. David Morgan
4. James Roach
5. Darroll Hawden
6. Marc Devine
7. Geraint Blake
8. Elliott Smith
9. Gareth Clancy
10. James Docherty
11. James Crothers
12. Liam Bevan
13. Steve Roberts
14. Chris Poole
15. Chris Roberts
16. Chris Mortimer
17. Jason Allen
18. Aaron Ellis Munn
19. Sean O'Sullivan
Scorers - Tries: Liam Bevan, Chris Roberts & James Crothers, Pen: James Docherty,
Conv: James Docherty, Drop Goal: James Docherty.