U15s' unbeaten run continues

7:20am Thursday 20th November 2008

Penarth U15s 37

CRICC 19

PENARTH U15 on Sunday morning notched up their seventh win to remain unbeaten this season.

Penarth were home to a much strengthened CRICC side that have made some recent new signing from other Cardiff clubs.

The visitors started stronger and scored after some neat interplay allowed their huge pack to rumble up the field and take an early lead with a well taken try.

More trouble was to follow as the CRICC side gained momentum, making constant inroads into the Penarth half. The home side seemed shellshocked and soon conceded another try.

The home pack started to realise they were in their sternest test to date, and after a thumping tackle from in-form Calum Wingram, Richard Pilcher tore the ball away from the CRICC prop, giving his side some much needed go-forward.

Charles Halpin then sent a fine pass to set his back line free, and after some slick handling Ben Harding glided in for his first score.

After a half time wake-up call from the coaches, Penarth made a more positive start to the second period. Wei Hock Ong and Oliver Drake, showing great commitment clearing out at the ruck, allowed Alex Goodey to pick and go deep into the visitors half.

The ball was then whisked away by Jordan Tyler and, after some slick handling by Andy Breed, Ben Harding came in the line from full back like a freight train, smashing through any would-be tacklers to score in the corner.

The home side, now with the lead for the first time, started to believe they could overcome the might of the CRICC pack. Jacob Declare set off on a charging run, offloading to the much improved Luke Blatchford who was eventually felled on the halfway line.

Quick ball from the base of the ruck saw Harding again at full gallop, cutting the defence to pieces, and after some superb hand offs he touched down for another fine score.

The restart was gratefully taken by Alex Goodey who set up a ruck on his own 22 metre line, well supported by Dominic Turton, and allowing Charles Halpin to send a superb defence touch kick into the opposition half.

Lack of discipline allowed the visitors to score again after back chat to the referee gave them a penalty in front of the posts.

From the restart Penarth seemed to have learned that it was the visitor's pack that was the danger and began to spread the ball wide at every opportunity. With Harding heavily marked, Lloyd Chalke sold the slightest of dummies and scored a neat try in the corner.

The remaining quarter was great clinical rugby - the home side with the exhausted forwards grinding out possession time after time allowing the three quarters to cut loose at every opportunity.

Rhys George came close to scoring but was bundled into touch yards from the CRICC try line.

The last say though was from Man of the Match, Ben Harding who scored a magical try after a sublime switch from Harvey Clark wide out on the left wing sent the fullback in for his fifth try of the game.

Final Score: Penarth 37 CRICC 19.

CRICC now join Rumney, Barry, Pentyrch, Llandaff, St Albans and Pontyclun in conceding over 30 points to Penarth U15s.

Coaches Tony, Spud and Chalky would like to congratulate all players for their magnificent start to the season. Many thanks to Mike Declare for generously providing new kit for the 2008/2009 season.