Admiral National League Division 1 (East Central): BARRY (3) 3 PENARTH (21) 45

It’s been a long wait since mid-May to find out how the Seasiders were likely to fare in Division 1 East Central and the opening game at least gave us a glimpse. One thing was abundantly from the outset: the team is looking even more well-drilled and competitive. 

The Bombers, in front of a substantial home crowd, were also looking to find their feet after an indifferent 2023-4 season and brought a high level of commitment to their cause. They even took the lead after only 3 minutes with an Aled Rees penalty. Unfortunately, this was as good as it got for the hosts and they were not to trouble the scorers again.

The Seasiders responded with more enthusiasm than technique, but dominated the next phases, eventually tapping a penalty in the 22 and passing inside to Rhys Beynon, coming on to the ball like a train and scoring under the posts. Despite losing a player to a yellow card, Barry dug their heels in and there was no further score for 15 minutes.    

Penarth dominated possession throughout and the Bombers were put under immense pressure, until the ball was worked out to Luc Keane-Adams. The left wing jinked inside to put the defence on the wrong foot, allowing Spencer Robinson to take them on the outside and run round behind the posts.  

As half-time approached, early niggle had turned into widespread ill-discipline and the referee had to read the riot act in order for play to continue. A series of scrums in the home 22 ensued, finally resulting in the Seasiders’ third try from full-back Josh Hurley. 

The second half opened with a Penarth line-out 25m from the line and as Alex Thau made the line-break into the 22, Keane-Adams was in a perfect position to run it in at the corner.

The Seasiders’ pack were irresistible throughout, dominating in the scrum where pressure again told as Miles Jones pounced on a dislodged ball for the fifth try on 55 minutes and again for the sixth on the hour as Barry eight were walked backwards over the goal-line.

By this time, Penarth were beginning to get a bit ahead of themselves, as the backs launched attacks from everywhere, but as so often happens, they tried a little too hard and opportunities were missed. In the last move before the final whistle, Ben Jones headed for the corner flag, only to release the ball in the tackle, but George Roberts was on hand to pick up and score.    

Sterner tests doubtless await in the coming weeks, but there was ample evidence here of a pre-season well spent. League tables after one round of games can be thoroughly misleading, but it’s still encouraging to see Penarth sitting pretty at the top.

There are no Div1 EC fixtures next weekend and the league programme resumes a week later with the visit of Abercwmboi RFC to the Athletic Field.   

Penarth: Josh Hurley, George Roberts, Andy Richards, Rhys Beynon, Luc Keane-Adams, Ben Jones, Spencer Robinson (Ifan Sion), Geraint Williams (Harry Wood), Mason Good (Lewys Williams), Alan Doyle, Owen Lloyd, Cameron Sultana, Evan Jones, Miles Jones ©, Alex Thau (Harry Roberts)

Scorers: Miles Jones (2 tries), Rhys Beynon (try), Spencer Robinson (try), Josh Hurley (try), Luc Keane-Adams (try), George Roberts (try), Ben Jones (5 conversions).