Fixture

Penlan were back in action again on Saturday, now in Division 2 West and facing Penclawdd at home.  A new Division with new teams to play is always a challenge but events were to show that Penlan had what it takes.  Having the home advantage was a bonus but facing Penclawdd who finished third in third in 3 West last season was to be a fine first test for the Mynydd Newydd side.

Before the game the players posed for their new kit photo with the line-up including new signings Liam Richards, Luke Brooks and Matthew Brooks, who we welcomed to the club for the new season.  This season we have a change of Captain with hooker Dean Davies assuming the reins from Bobby Scrine.

It was an excellent day for rugby at Mynydd Newydd, although maybe on the warm side, as referee Mr. Andrew Miles from Pembroke got the game under way with the visitors making the kick off.

Penclawdd looked a young and fit side and were to give Penlan a good game with both sides trying each other out in the early stages.  In the first half the majority of play was in the visitor’s half with Penlan camping on the Penclawdd line.  Good defence kept Penlan at bay until the 20 minute mark when they had another scrum on the 5 metre.  A great controlled shove pushes the visitors back over their line to enable No. 8 Ian Scrine to safely land a first try midway between the posts and the corner flag.  Full back Jack Harris made short work of the conversion to give the home side the 7 point lead.

At 30 minutes Penclawdd clawed back 3 points from a 22m penalty competently landed by their Outside-Half Dan Guarneri.

More efforts were again repelled by a competent Penclawdd side until at 35 minutes Penlan had a lineout mid way in opposition 22.  Second row Robbie Watkins won the ball at the front of the lineout which allowed Penlan to drive forward and push Penclawdd back over their line again until second row Kurt Velardo landed a try near the corner flag.  Jack Harris made a difficult kick look easy to extend Penlan’s lead to 14 – 3 at half time.

In the second half the visitors came out with renewed effort to put Penlan under pressure but in just 5 minutes another Penlan lineout  beyond the 22 was safely taken and passed out to be well advanced into opposition territory by outside-half Steven Williams.  After a determined and constant push for the line once again Penclawdd were back over their line for flanker Luke Brooks to land his debut try for Penlan for a 19 – 3 Penlan lead.

For the rest of the match the majority of play was in Penlan’s half with some fast and skilful passing by Penclawdd’s backs putting the home side under pressure.  At 10 minutes their fast work found a chink in the Penlan defence and allowed outside-half Dan Guarneri to land a safe try near the posts.

The Penlan defence stepped up a gear and ensured that there would be no way through again in what continued to be a determined attack by Penclawdd.

Although the remainder of the match continued to be exciting, there was no further score for either side with Penlan finishing the victors with a fine 19 – 8 start in their new season.

Penlan’s Man of the Match was justly awarded to No. 8 Ian Scrine but it had clearly been a great team effort by all the players.

Next week the challenge continues with an away game against Pontarddulais, another strong team who finished in fourth table place in 3 West last season and will be keen to make up for their first game this season which resulted in a  narrow loss 18 – 17 away to Llanybydder.

Thanks ever again to our resident photographers, Colin Rush (his photos have been added to our gallery) and Mike Evans whose pictures will be added to his website in due course www.mike322.com

Unfortunately our second side had no game, despite a good turnout.  Their intended away game against Cwmgors had been called off, sadly due to a funeral, and a referee could not be found at short notice for a re-arranged away friendly against Brynamman.