PENARTH STILL TOP
Barry (0) 14 PENARTH (29) 41
Last season’s results against Barry were wildly different. A comfortable 45-3 win away at the Reservoir Field, followed by a startling 33-45 defeat at the Athletic Field three months later. Which way would this one swing? We should have guessed.
Starting with the wind at their backs, Penarth adopted a high-tempo approach and went into an early lead as Osian Coates went over from a Spencer Robinson short pass, but the only other score in the first quarter was a Ben Jones penalty.
Happily, three more tries and the bonus point were to arrive before half-time. An attacking line-out led to a characteristic line-break by Owen Lloyd and Osian Coates forced his way over for his second try. Within minutes, a goal-line siege left space on the touchline for Luc Keane-Adams to secure the third.
Despite this steady progress, both sides struggled to gain much in the way of control over things and it needed individual efforts to make a difference. Eventual man-of-the-match Will Odgers provided the impetus for the bonus-point try on the brink of half-time with a thundering line-break from midfield. Owen Lloyd provided the finishing touch out wide leaving the score at the break a satisfying 0-29.
Facing into the wind for the second half, Penarth ought to have made adjustments to their approach, but Alex Abel almost immediately carved his way through the defence Will Odgers completed the score after a few pick-and-drives on the line. 42 minutes gone, 0-36 up and it’s all over bar the shouting.
The wind was always going to slow the scoring rate down for Penarth and sure enough, Barry were able to gain more field position. However, the next score didn’t arrive until Barry tight-head Dan Hobson forced his way over in the rain on the hour.
The visitors, meanwhile, were busy emptying the bench, so we were treated to a couple of typically slaloming Sam Sully breaks and a classic Tom Griffiths finish from inside the 22. Barry still had their moments and secured a second late consolation with a penalty try.
Penarth return to the Athletic Field next Saturday and welcome visitors Rhydyfelin, who finished last season in third place. The last game between the sides resulted in a solid 51-13 home win for the Taff Vale side, balancing out an earlier 43-38 in the corresponding fixture.
Penarth: Ben Jones, Luc Keane-Adams (Osian Phillips), Andy Richards (Rhys Gant), Osian Coates, James Crothers, James Candy, Spencer Robinson, Harry Wood (Sam Sully), Mason Good (Tom Griffiths), Alan Doyle, Cameron Sultana, Will Odgers (Dan Cahalane), Gruff Sion, Owen Lloyd, Alex Abel.
Scorers: Luc Keane-Adams (try), Ben Jones (4 conversions, penalty), Will Odgers (try), Osian Coates (2 tries), Owen Lloyd (try), Tom Griffihs (try).
© Peter Weston 14-Sep-25
