Fixture

Penclawdd RFC | 1st Team

7 - 26

Penlan RFC | 1st Team

Match Report

05 May 2015 / Team News

4 TRY BONUS WIN FOR PENLAN AWAY AT PENCLAWDD AS J-LO MAKES HISTORY

Penlan too strong for Penclawdd > picture from Colin Rush

In their penultimate game of the season Penlan were away to Penclawdd on Saturday on a day that was ideal for rugby. In their home meeting at Mynydd Newydd in the first game of the season, Penlan had been the victors by 19 to 8 so Penclawdd would be out for revenge. With some injuries on the bench and other absences Penlan were slightly nervous but they were to prove that they had the necessary strength in depth.

Referee Mr. Morgan Whitehead made the journey down from Caerphilly to ably take charge of proceedings and got the game underway on time with Penlan making the kick off.

Penlan were to stamp their authority on the game from the start when, within 3 minutes, they won their lineout in home territory. Initial ground was made by scrum-half Bobby Scrine who, after some fast passing, got the ball to brother Ian Scrine at Number 8 who weaved through the defence and cross the line for a grand try. Steven Davies made a safe conversion to give Penlan an important 0 – 7 early lead.

Ian Scrine safely lands the early Penlan try > picture from Mike Evans

There followed a long period during which both teams made efforts to gain dominance. Penlan had control of the scrum and lineout but could not gain any more points. At 35 minutes Flanker Adam Glover had to come off due to a head blow that left him dizzy, even more so than normal, with Robert Green coming on as replacement.

Not long after, Penclawdd had a penalty shot which narrowly missed and from the resulting kick out Penlan increased their pressure until their third scrum on the Penclawdd 5 metre resulted in referee Mr. Whitehead awarding them a penalty try. Steven Davies deftly converted with no trouble. It was a valuable result that gave the visitors the 0 – 14 lead at half time.

The Penlan team play was well on track with all playing their role when a sensational club milestone then followed. Winger Sean (J-Lo) Lewis, who was playing in his 36th game (14 in the starting line up and 22 on the bench), scored his first Penlan try, and a fine one at that. It came within 5 minutes into the half as Penlan put the opposition under pressure straight from the whistle.

Penlan were attacking up centre field with great ground being made by centre Stephen Davey until the ball reached Sean. Usually stalwart Sean makes the passes that let others score but on this occasion he decided it was going to be his turn. He managed, apparently, to weave around at least 20 players until on reaching the line and never expecting to get there, he feigned indecision. This master stroke took everyone by surprise and left the way open for him to dive across the line. It was described by someone (I forget who !) as the most spectacular try ever scored by Penlan. In any case it caused a great response and applause from his team and supporters and left Penclawdd wondering if Penlan thought they had just won the championship. All jokes aside, it was a fine try that advanced Penlan’s lead to an impressive 19 points.

J-Lo Safely prepares to land his epic try > picture from Colin Rush

Way to go J-Lo > picture from Mike Evans

Penclawdd managed to save a whitewash with their own try that came just before 25 minutes. Bucking the trend, Penlan lost their lineout within the Penclawdd 22 and fell foul to a fast up centre attack with cross field passing to allow their winger Ben McCarthy to score a sprinting try. No. 10 Dan Guarneri safely converted to make the tally 7 – 19.

The exciting rugby continued in the later stages until at 38 minutes Penlan’s constant team play lead to more scrums on the home line until finally Penclawdd were pushed clear back over their line. Scrum-half Bobby Scrine darted clear and over the line to score the third try of the day. With a third safe conversion by Steven Davies, Penlan secured their win and earned the four try bonus point with a safe 7 – 26 score.

Bobby Scrine goes safely clear for his try > picture from Colin Rush

Man of the match of course had to go to the phenomenon Sean Lewis who is taking fame in his stride. He will be signing copies of his new book “The way to score by J-Lo” at the clubhouse on Saturday.

Thanks as ever to our resident photographers Colin Rush, whose photos have been uploaded to our gallery, and Mike Evans who will be adding his to his website www.mike322.com

Penlan are now in a contest with Pontarddulais to finish in third place. With Bont just two points in front, both teams have a game in hand. Next Saturday Penlan are away to Llanelli Wanderers while on Wednesday 29th April Pontarddulais are away to Tycroes. At the bottom of the table Haverfordwest, Cardigan and Llandeilo are in line for relegation.

Players Fixture player info not published.

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