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12 March 2017 / Club News

Penlan v Cwmavon 11th. March 2017

JUGGERNAUT JENKINS SCORES HAT TRICK AGAINST CWMAVON

In their away fixture back in October, Penlan had to settle for a losing bonus point against Cwmavon from a 26 – 21 score.  On Saturday they redressed the balance with an excellent four try bonus win.  Back in the side after a long break was James “Juggernaut” Jenkins at Number 8 and he was to make a significant impression.

The weather was fine as referee Mr. Jackey Boswell from Llanelli got the game underway with Penlan making the kick-off.  He ably managed a fast and physical encounter between two strong teams, and an entertaining game resulted.  First points went to Penlan in under 5 minutes when scrum-half Bobby Scrine took a quick penalty that was advanced well by centre Steven Williams who made a fast pass to second-row Luke Brooks.  Luke powered over the line and landed a fine early try, his fourth of the season, that was neatly converted by centre Paul Spowart for a 5 – 0 score.

At 15 minutes Steven Williams once again advanced the ball deep into the visitor’s territory and made a timely off-load to James Jenkins who stormed through the remaining defence.  His charge was unstoppable as he safely landed a try near the post.  Paul Spowart made another safe conversion to extend the Penlan lead to 14 – 0.

Just 3 minutes later, Cwmavon pulled back 3 points when their outside-half kicked a penalty for 14 – 3.

The heavy pitch and physical game was proving difficult for both sides with some brief stoppages for minor injuries.  At around 25 minutes James Jenkins was in the action again when Penlan secured the ball from their scrum in the opposition 22.  James secured the ball and went on the rampage again through the Cwmavon defence to land his second try to make the score 19 – 3 at half-time.

James Jenkins needed some physio treatment at half time from the healing hands of our Bethan Davies.  It obviously proved effective because just 3 minutes into the second-half James scored his hat trick try.  It came from Penlan’s constant work at the try-line from which James made his third impressive storm over the line to earn his side a four try bonus point, their sixth of the season.  Paul Sowart’s third safe conversion moved Penlan ahead to 26 – 3.

Penlan had needed to pull out all the stops in a hard team game to stay in front against Cwmavon which had taken its’ toll resulting in some substitutions with Ben Martin, Steven Williams and James Jenkins leaving the field.  Cwmavon never let up their own pressure and were to make their gains in the last 10 minutes of the game.  Their first try came after a long period of camping on the Penlan line which eventually wore the defence down.  Their conversion made the score 26 – 10.  Their second try got through the Penlan defence at the final whistle which, when converted, made the final score 26 – 17.

Both teams knew that they had been in a tough game but it was Penlan who had played with the greater determination as a result of the whole team having a good game that justly earned them their win.

A fortnight’s rest now while Wales play France next week, until March 25th when Penlan are likely to have another hard game when they are home to Pencoed. It was an away win for Penlan by 6 – 20 in their November game so Pencoed will be out for revenge.  They are currently one league point ahead of Penlan but have played one game more.  The latest results mean that, statistically, Cwmavon and Aberavon Green Stars cannot score more points than Penlan so makes Penlan safe from relegation, even if they score no more league points. (see the league results/table on the Penlan website under “The Club” tab)

Thanks to our resident photographers Colin Rush (his photos have been uploaded to our gallery) and Mike Evans (whose pictures will be uploaded to his website www.mike322.com in due course)

Other Division 2 West Central results are currently reported as –

Aberavon Green Stars 11  Cwmgors 20

Morriston 17  Tondu 26

Pencoed 17  Nantymoel 22

Resolven 30  Maesteg Celtic 19

Ystradgynlais 28  Brynamman 19

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