WRU Division 1 East Central: PENARTH (17) 32 Abercynon (10) 25

After a couple of frustrating results against Llanharan, the Seasiders had to pick themselves up for the key game in this half of the season. Were they contenders or also-rans? Only the result against unbeaten leaders Abercynon would give us the answer

At the end of a fascinating contest, which either side could have won, the conclusion was clear: Penarth RFC are definitely contenders!

The first half was close, but really shouldn’t have been. The Seasiders, playing into the wind, confined Abercynon to their own half for fully thirty minutes. There were several clear try-scoring opportunities, but only the one move was completed as George Roberts scored an unconverted try in the corner after 18 minutes.

Abercynon then entered the Penarth half for the first time and right wing Alex Hayman cut cleanly through the defensive line to put his side in front. His side then exerted real pressure from the restart and were rewarded with a kickable penalty which put them 5-10 in front.

Then it was ‘cue the Tom Griffiths show’, as the hooker stole the ball at a line-out and set Alan Doyle running into the away 22. Penalty Penarth, kick to touch, line-out, Griffiths scores. With minutes to go before half-time, Evan Jones pulled a rabbit out of the hat as he pounced on a loose ball, broke two tackles and was finally stopped 2m short. An overhead pass found the supporting George Roberts and the Seasiders ended the first half leading 17-10

The second half, despite advantages for Penarth in terms of wind and sun, didn’t start well. Abercynon came out of the traps with a vengeance and pulled a try back from sheer pressure. With the score now 17-15, the Seasiders reverted to a wind-assisted kicking game. This produced mixed results, but did, at least, yield a kickable penalty, converted by Rhys Mottram after 50 minutes. With Spencer Robinson coming on as a replacement and Joe Williams replacing Leon Appiah on the wing, we have learned to expect the unexpected. The scurm-half stole a ball from a ruck and set off. Finding Ben Jones, now at full-back, who wrong-footed the defence from 40m to score under the posts.

Penarth now led by a comfortable-looking two scores, but there were still more than 20 minutes remaining. Back came Abercynon again with a third try to make it 27-20. Now their tails were up and they surged forwards to claim victory. Two minutes later they scored their fourth under the posts, but inexplicably failed to convert. Thirteen minutes to go, score 27-25 and Abercynon arguably on top.

So, did the tough get going? They certainly did, as the Seasiders kept their heads and simply ground it out. Pressure in the Abercynon 22 forced an interception with six minutes to go and two short passes saw Owen Lloyd in at the corner for what proved to be the winning try. The final minutes were played out in the Penarth 22, where their defence performed miracles in keeping their rampant opponents out.

Penarth: Harry Williams (Rhys Mottram), George Roberts, Andy Richards, Rhys Beynon, Leon Appiah, Ben Jones, Joe Williams (Spencer Robinson), Harry Wood, Tom Griffiths (Mason Good), Alan Doyle (Sam Sully), Owen Lloyd, Cameron Sultana, Evan Jones, Miles Jones ©, Harry Roberts

Scorers: George Roberts (2 tries), Tom Griffiths (try), Ben Jones (try), Owen Lloyd (try), Rhys Mottram (penalty, 2 conversions).