Fixture

Penlan RFC | 1st Team

5 - 12

Penallta RFC | 1st Team

Elliott Tasman Keep

1 Try

Joseph Scrivens

1 Conversion

Matthew William Angel

1 Try

Match Report

05 May 2015 / Team News

PENALLTA EDGE OUT PENLAN IN SWALEC PLATE QUARTER-FINAL

An exciting close encounter at Penlan > picture from Colin Rush

The Swalec Plate Quarter-final clash between Penlan and top Division 1 team Penallta promised to be a special occasion and when it was played at Mynydd Newydd yesterday the spectators were not disappointed. Under the first class management of referee Mr. Justin Williams from Llanelli two fine teams were intent on playing a good game of rugby.

Before the big game there was a game held between Junior teams from both clubs. In the line up for Penlan were –

Christian Brooks
Jake Brophy
Jakob Ford-Davies
Connor Duguid
Morgan Dymond
Jake Foley
Connor Glover
Lewis Hill
Sam Murphy
Andrew Smith (captain)
Evan Webber
Damian Hurford
Mackenzie Williams
Kellan Wood

In the game Penlan emerged the winners by 7 to 2 with Evan Webber securing three tries, Jakob Ford-Davies getting two and one each from Connor Duguid and Connor Glover. Man of the Match for his non-stop tackling and great off-loading was awarded to Lewis Hill.

After the match the proud players from both sides formed a guard of honour as their senior players took to the field for the main attraction with Penlan sporting their new kit for the day.

Proud Penlan and Penallta Juniors form their guard of honour > picture from Mike Evans

The main encounter proved to be the proverbial game of two halves as far as Penlan were concerned as they demonstrated in the first 40 minutes that they were well up to the challenge. First points went to Penallta though after just 10 minutes as the visitors put Penlan under pressure leading to some skilful passing getting the ball to the open wing. Penallta right-wing Elliott Keep made short work of sprinting over the line to land his try which was safely converted by outside-half Joseph Scrivens.

It was a bad start for Penlan but they responded with determination from the re-start kick. Flanker Robert Green chased after the kick and secured possession leading to a Penlan push towards the line from the 22. The move propelled the Penallta pack clear back across their line until Robert Green powered over for a valuable 5 point try. Although the rain had stopped before the game there was a constant wind which helped to deprive Penlan of the crucial two points and make the score 5 – 7.

In the last stages of the first half Penlan looked strong and for a while camped on the Penallta line. One exciting move got the ball over the line but the try was held up. A lead for Penlan at half time would have been the ideal scenario but their attacks were to be held by the visitors and secure them the narrow lead as the half time whistle sounded.

In their passage to the Quarter-final Penlan had already beaten two first division clubs, Gorseinon and Ynysybwl both away and also seen off top division 2 club Gowerton also away. They knew they had the potential to rise to the challenge and hoped in the second half to find their way through the defence again. In the second half though Penallta showed the strength and determination that had seen them win the Plate final twice in recent years and give them an unbeaten record in all their league and cup competitions this season.

Despite Penlan’s determination and their impressive work at the end of the first half it was Penallta that had the upper hand in the second half. Putting Penlan under pressure from the whistle, at the 10 minute mark they were attacking down the wing in front of the main body of their supporters who urged them on. Penlan defended well and kicked the ball free only to find themselves back under pressure again. After only 10 minutes the Penallta attack got through and prop Matthew Angel landed a try in the corner. The angle and wind deprived them of the conversion to make the score 5 – 12.

Although there were plenty of chances for both sides through the rest of the game there were no more scores for either side. The potential for points were there and in honesty Penallta always looked like having the game secured which eventually proved to be the case. It was a great effort on the day and a credit to Penlan which resulted in just a narrow two tries to one. Penlan supporters were justly proud of their team who had put up a great performance against a well drilled and impressive side. It was a magnificent team performance with flanker Ian Scrine being singled out as the Penlan Man of the Match with second-row Kurt Velardo coming a close second. A great time was had by all after the match as Penallta enjoyed some Penlan hospitality with Penlan wishing the victors every success in the semi-final, the draw for which will be made on Tuesday afternoon. Next week Penlan return to league action with a home game against Aberystwyth who also went out of the Plate competition on Saturday by losing away to Newcastle Emlyn by 18 to 5.

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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