News

GOOD PENLAN PERFORMANCE AWAY AT YSTRADGYNLAIS

Still struggling for numbers, Penlan had just one replacement available for their Saturday away game against Ystradgynlais.

Despite their problems Penlan gave a good account of themselves, especially by the forwards who were more than a match for Ystradgynlais.

Referee Mr. Tristan Southway from Blaenavon ably managed the game and got the action off on time with the home team making the kick-off in fair conditions but with some sporadic fine rain.

The teams vied for the upper hand until at 15 minutes, Penlan had a scrum near the home 5 metre when Captain, Dafydd Pritchard, at scrum-half made a long pass out to winger Sean Lewis who sprinted clear and over the line for a fine try.  It was a good start for Penlan that caused Ystradgynlais to come back with determination and just 15 minutes later their backs made an impressive attack with fast passing from their scrum near the half way. They flew through the Penlan defence for a good try which, when converted, gave them the 7 – 5 lead.

Within 10 minutes they again employed their fast passing to dodge through the Penlan defence after phases of constant pressure, to score at the posts.  A second successful kick advanced their lead to 14 – 5.

In the final moments of the first half further excellent fast passing earned them a third try to give them the 19 – 5 lead.

In the second half Ystradgynlais clearly intended to inflict more damage and may have expected the Penlan heads to drop but they had not reckoned on Penlan’s pride and determination.  Such was their spirit that they prevented Ystradgynlais making any further headway.  At just 8 minutes Penlan had a lineout which secured their ball and they set up a constant attack for the home line. Penlan forward dominance paid dividends when prop Ceri Adams made an excellent twisting dive over the line to narrow the home lead to 19 – 10.

Despite the frantic rants from their coaching staff, which probably did more damage than good, the Ystradgynlais scoring had been halted.  Penlan looked strong in the second half but were unable to make progress that might, at least, given them a losing bonus point so that the final score was 19 – 10 for Ystradgynlais.

Despite the loss, Penlan supporters were proud of their team performance which, undoubtedly, had taken Ystradgynlais by surprise and could have earned them a win.

Next week Penlan play against Pencoed, the first of their remaining 5 games all of which will be at home, (also Brynamman, Builth Wells, Maesteg Celtic  and Nantymoel).  These games will be a big challenge for Penlan who now have a serious relegation fight on their hands.

Other results in Division 2 West Central are presently reported as

Nantyffyllon 11  Morriston 13

Taibach 12  Maesteg Celtic 34

Brynamman v Nantymoel, Cwmgors v Builth Wells and Pencoed v Cwmavon were postponed.