Fixture

Penlan RFC | 1st Team

32 - 24

Aberystwyth RFC | 1st Team

Match Report

05 May 2015 / Team News

5 TRY WIN FOR PENLAN AT HOME TO ABERYSTWYTH

Penlan forwards were a match for Aberystwyth > picture from Colin Rush

Penlan and Aberystwyth had both left the Swalec Plate competition last week having been beaten by Penallta and Newcastle Emlyn respectively. Back in league action, Aberystwyth travelled to Mynydd Newydd in their return fixture from 27th. December which had resulted in a 13 all draw. Penlan were missing some players due to injuries from the hard game last week but hoped that their strength in depth would see them through on a day that was ideal for rugby.

With Referee Mr. Alun Emmanuel from Llanelli ably managing the game it was evident from early on that the visitors had a strong back line that liked to move the ball at pace. Penlan’s forwards though looked dominant and were key to their strong play. Within 3 minutes of Aberystwyth making the kick off Penlan secured a lineout on the visitor’s 5 metre. Penlan won the ball and immediately pushed for the line, until flanker Adam Glover safely grounded the try for an early 5 point lead.

Within 10 minutes Adam Glover scored his second try for Penlan which came from another Penlan lineout, this time on the visitor’s 22. Penlan won ball which resulted in a charge forward by No. 8 Ian Scrine. Centre Stephen Davey secured the ball and made a timely pass to Adam Glover who stormed through the defence in an unstoppable sprint to land the try. Outside-Half Steven Davies securely kicked the conversion to advance the Penlan lead to 12 – 0.

Adam sprints clear for his try > picture from Colin Rush

The Aberystwyth fast back row continually looked threatening and just before 20 minutes they took a quick penalty following their lineout on the Penlan 22. Quick passing got the ball to the wing which saw Carwyn Evans sprint through the Penlan defence to land the try for Aberystwyth. Jason Rees made a safe conversion to narrow the Penlan lead to 12 to 7.

The tussle for dominance continued with some exciting rugby until at the 30 minute mark Penlan had a scrum on the half-way. Aberystwyth made the turnover and by more quick passing got the ball quickly to the wing for a duplicate of their first try which left the Penlan defence standing as Shaun Lewis sprinted free for the try. Jason Rees made a second safe conversion to put his side ahead for the first time by 12 to 14.

In the later stages of the first half Aberystwyth were dominant and just before the half time whistle a third try came their way with more of their fine fast passing as they charged forward, resulting in Luke Williams scoring their third try between the posts. Jason Rees safely slotted the conversion again to give Aberystwyth a useful 12 – 21 on half time.

The Penlan coaches Lee Banfield and Mark Glover gave some timely guidance to their team during the half-time huddle and it was obvious to the Penlan supporters that their side would have a high hill to climb in the second half if they were to get back in the game.

The Penlan pride and teamwork was to be crucial and they were to demonstrate both in the remaining 40 minutes. Their comeback came just 3 minutes into the half following a Penlan scrum and their own quick passing which lead to a forward sprint by Ian Scrine. The ball reached centre Steven Williams who made an unstoppable sprint through the defence to cross the line, run around and make the touchdown between the posts. Steven Davies safely converted to narrow the visitor’s lead to 19 – 21.

Steven Williams runs round for his try > picture from Colin Rush

At 10 minutes yet more fast passing by Aberystwyth almost got them a fourth try but Penlan held them and then conceded a penalty which Jason Rees landed to inch them further to 19 – 24.

Penlan got increasingly stronger in the final quarter with the powerhouse that is Robert Green coming on from the injury bench to bolster the efforts. Some fast and timely passing by centre Stephen Davey following a Penlan lineout on the 22 got the ball to Rob Green who powered through and over the line, earning his team a bonus point for their fourth try and even the score at 24 all.

Robert Green storms ahead for his try > picture from Colin Rush

It was clearly game on for both teams and it was Penlan just 5 minutes later who went in front when they secured a lineout on the visitor’s 5 metre. It was safely caught by second-row Robbie Watkins and the Penlan pack immediately set up the maul for the line. The backwards push was unstoppable and allowed No. 8 Ian Scrine to safely land Penlan’s fifth try near the corner.

A safe touchdown by Ian Scrine for Penlan > picture from Colin Rush

It was a slender 29 – 24 lead which Aberystwyth still had time to snatch away but to their credit Penlan effectively closed them down for most of the remaining game. At 32 minutes a great drop goal kick from the ever safe boot of centre Steven Williams pushed Penlan to the safer score of 32 – 24 and even deprived Aberystwyth of a consolation 7 point losing point. Despite their efforts in the dying moments there were no more points for the visitor’s. Penlan had really come back in the second half and an exciting game of rugby had resulted.

It had been a good display by the Penlan side with a great team effort that had proved vital. Each player had pulled out the stops and it was even rumoured that prop Michael Rush had won the ball at the lineout (actually it was rumoured by Mike himself so it must be true !) The win keeps Penlan in third league place with Gowerton and Llanelli Wanderers safely ahead. Gowerton is unstoppable for Penlan and while Llanelli Wanderers could be caught they realistically look safe as they would have to lose all their remaining 4 games with Penlan winning all theirs to be caught. Newly in Division 2 Penlan can be proud of their third league position in this stage of the season but still have 4 hard games to go. Their first and biggest challenge will be away to Gowerton next Saturday which will hopefully prove be an exciting game.

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

Players Fixture player info not published.

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