News

WELL DESERVED WIN FOR PENLAN AT LAST

Penlan had their first win of the season on Saturday at home to Taibach.  Their tenth game of the season came after a number of close losses and was a credit to their dogged determination and character.  Conditions were cold and wet at Mynydd Newydd as the teams made a start with the visitors making the kick off under the management of referee Mr. Stephen Allsop from Caldicott. 

Penlan put their mark on the game early on when after just 10 minutes, centre Stephen Davey made a strong sprint up the wing and, after side-stepping the defence, made a timely offload to Neil Draper who sprinted clear over the line and ran between the posts to land a try.  Full-back Paul Spowart converted for a 7 - 0 home lead.

An entertaining game of rugby followed with both sides showing skill and pace as the sought to gain the upperhand.  The contest went Penlan's was when at 25 minutes some excellent passing out to the wing led to second-row Tom Downing sprinting clear of the defence to land a second try which Paul Spowart converted again to make it at 14 - 0 home lead.

At 35 minutes Taibach pulled back 3 points from a penalty to make the tally 14 - 3 at half time.

Conditions were miserable in the second half but the visitors came out with determination and managed to catch Penlan napping when within 3 minutes they breached the defence to land a fine try which was ably converted for 14 - 10.

Thereafter, although the rugby was entertaining, neither team let the other breach their defence with the only score coming from a Paul Spowart penalty at 25 minutes so that the final score was a 17 - 10 Penlan win with Taibach earning a losing bonus point.

It was an important win for Penlan as it broke their losing streak although they continue to prop up the bottom of the table.  A week off for Christmas follows until Penlan have a local derby away against Morriston on 30th. December, which should prove to be entertaining.  Thanks to Colin Rush for his photos that have been uploaded to the gallery.

Other results in Division 2 West Central are

Builth Wells 13  Pencoed 5

Cwmavon 12   Ystradgynlais 20

Maesteg Celtic 14   Morriston 5

Nantymoel 10   Cwmgors 26

Brynamman v Nantyffyllon was postponed