Fixture

Penlan RFC | 1st Team

14 - 15

Llanybydder RFC | 1st Team

Match Report

05 May 2015 / Team News

NARROW 14 – 15 LOSS IN INJURY TIME FOR PENLAN AGAINST LLANYBYDDER

Closest of games at Mynydd Newydd > picture from Colin Rush

It was an important game for Llanybydder, away to Penlan yesterday, who had just two games left in the season to gain enough points to ensure they avoided relegation. At their home game with Penlan in January they had notched up a safe 28 – 14 win but knew that they would have a harder job at Mynydd Newydd.

It was Penlan’s last home game in the season as Referee Mr. Jonathan Mason got the game underway with Llanybydder making the kick off in the fine but windy conditions. Suffering some absences Penlan did not have one of their better game of the season and the visitors looked strong and proved to be challenge throughout.

First points came to Penlan at just 10 minutes from a Llanybydder scrum just outside their 5 metre line. Although they initially won their scrum Penlan turned them over and some quick passing by flanker Luke Brooks got the ball to fellow flanker Adam Glover who powered over the line for a safe try. Full Back Steven Davies made a safe conversion despite the heavy winds for 7 – 0 lead.

Adam Glover is unstoppable > picture from Colin Rush

Penlan were putting on the pressure but Llanybydder were constantly looking dangerous but at 20 minutes the home side's work paid dividends again. A Penlan 4 man lineout on the opposition 22 was won by second-row Luke Velardo and advanced well by No. 8 Ian Scrine. Ian got the ball to No. 10 Steven Williams who made an off load at pace to Luke Brooks who with a sprint and dive landed a fine second try for Penlan. Steven Davies made a second sound conversion to advance Penlan to 14 – 0.

Luke lands his try well over the line > picture from Colin Rush

Despite not giving one of their best performances Penlan had notched up a useful 14 point lead but at 37 minutes Llanybydder clawed back 5 points from their own try. Penlan had initially won their lineout near the half-way line but shortly after lost possession. The ensuing burst up the wing by the visitors put the Penlan defence under pressure until they were briefly halted but some quick passing found a way through for Llyr Davies to score for the visitors near the corner flag. The angle and continuing high wind deprived the kicker of the conversion to leave the score as 14 – 5 at half time.

Penlan often play their better rugby in the second half but not on this occasion as Llanybydder put them under sustained pressure. Some Penlan mishandling deprived them of chances until more points came to Llanybydder in a seemingly easy manner. They finally had a scrum on the Penlan 5 metre which they safely secured and some straightforward cross field passing went straight through the home line for Rhys Morris to score a second try for his side. Tom Wilson slotted their conversion to narrow the Penlan lead to 14 – 12.

Penlan mounted challenges but were not able to make any further impression on the visitors who continued to look strong. It looked though, as if Penlan were going to hold on to the narrowest of wins as the game went into injury time. Just afterwards Llanybydder mounted a final effort and were putting Penlan under pressure near their posts until disastrously, they conceded a penalty. Tom Wilson made short work of the kick to push his side in front by 14 – 15 as the whistle went for time.

The slenderest of wins gave them 4 important points which, with one more game still left, took them safely above the remaining three teams at the bottom of the table to ensure them remaining in Division 2 next season. It was a disappointing loss for Penlan but there were no excuses with Llanybydder deserving their win.

Although Penlan picked up one bonus point they slipped down a league place to fourth by 3 points behind Pontarddulais. Two away games now follow for Penlan, Penclawdd next Saturday and then Llanelli Wanderers on 2nd May.

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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