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THE PARTYS OVER FOR ANOTHER SEASON

On Saturday when Prince Edward married, Chelsea won the FA Cup, Wayne Martin celebrated his birthday and Penlan lost their last game of the season when home to Nantymoel.  It has been a difficult season for Penlan, and a frustrating one for coach Lee Banfield and Captain Dafydd Pritchard.  Throughout though, the players have remained loyal and held their heads high.  Once again on Saturday they gave a good account of themselves and succeeded in scoring two tries against a strong Nantymoel side.

Referee Mr. Huw David from Cefn Cribbwr got the game underway with Penlan making the kick off in sunny and wind free conditions.  All the points went to Nantymoel in the first half with a penalty coming first at 25 minutes.  Then at the closing minutes of the half they scored two tries, the first when they turned over a Penlan scrum on the half-way and outpaced defenders with a long run up the wing.  Their second try came when they pounced on some Penlan mishandling and another wing attack proved unstoppable.  The second conversion was successful and gave them the 0 – 15 lead.

Within 2 minutes of the re-start the visitors landed a penalty to advance their lead to 0 – 18.  Penlan though, always looked threatening and at 10 minutes they won their scrum and made a charge for the line.  They forced the opposition back until hooker, Adam Glover, powered over for the try, his eighth of the season and sealing his place as top try scorer.  Centre Paul Spowart safely converted to bring the score to 5 – 18 and advance his top point scorer tally to 55.

Mid second half saw Nantymoel step up their game and score another penalty followed by a converted try after constant pressure at 25 minutes.  At 35 minutes they notched up their fourth try after a fine kick through and chase for a 7 – 35 lead.  Still Penlan keep up their game until, just before the final whistle, full-back Luke Davies made a gutsy sprint up the wing which was unstoppable as he landed near the corner.  This made the final score 12 – 35 with Luke’s third try of the season.

Penlan already knew they were being relegated but the win by Nantymoel meant that they had won their relegation battle with Cwmgors who will now also be relegated.

It is a set back season for Penlan but they completed their fixtures while displaying resolve and loyalty throughout which will hopefully stand them in good stead in the challenges to come.

The other final game of the season resulted in Nantyffyllon 10  Cwmgors 24.

Thanks to Colin Rush for his pictures which have been uploaded to the gallery.