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A SIX TRY WIN FOR PENLAN AWAY AT TAIBACH BUT TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

Penlan were without some key players on Saturday for their away game against Taibach, which was unnerving. On their home meeting Penlan had won by 29 to 13 but they knew that Taibach at home might be a different matter.  Despite being low in the table, many of Taibach’s games had been close and they had won against Aberavon Green Stars the previous week. As it turned out, although Penlan landed six tries to Taibach’s two, there were just 7 points between the teams which earned them a losing bonus point. 

The weather was mostly fine with some cold spells when the sun went in but there also some brief hail showers.  The game got going on time with Taibach making the kick off.  It was soon apparent  that Penlan had the stronger pack which, at 7 minutes saw them pushing Taibach over their line from a scrum on their 5 metre line.  Luke Brooks at No. 8 safely landed the try and Outside-half Scott Davies converted for an early 7 point lead.

Just 3 minutes later Taibach were awarded a penalty in front of the Penlan posts and made the score 3 – 7.

Penlan had another scrum just before 20 minutes in Taibach’s 22 and after some fast passing the ball reached full-back Luke Davies who sprinted for the goal line.  With some skilful ducking and weaving he avoided any defence to safely land his try and make the score 3 – 12.

Despite the lead Taibach were putting the visitors under pressure which caused them to give away far too many advantages.  At 25 and 27 minutes they conceded two penalties which Taibach made short work of to narrow the Penlan lead to 9 – 12.

Taibach put Penlan under pressure at times but the defence proved able to keep them at bay.  At 35 minutes it was Penlan that was camping on the home 5 metre until they were awarded their second scrum and set up a determined push for the line.  A quick last second pass out safely found scrum-half Bobby Scrine who sprinted over for a third Penlan try.  Scott Davies landed his second conversion to make the score 9 – 19.

Only 3 minutes later the Penlan indiscipline gave Taibach a further 3 welcome points from a penalty kick in front of the posts.  Despite scoring three tries and looking dominant Penlan had allowed Taibach to keep in contention by handing them 4 penalties to make the score a narrow 12 – 19 at half time.

As the second half got underway Penlan looked as if they were going to pull away from Taibach when, at just 5 minutes, they scored their fourth bonus point winning try.  They were awarded a penalty near the 5 metre and elected the scrum.  They won the ball and Bobby Scrine made a fast pass to the wing which was safely taken by winger Stuart James.  Stuart sprinted for the line and managed to shake off the chasing defence to safely land the try at the corner flag and make it 12 – 24.

At 10 minutes Penlan were awarded the lineout on the home 5 metre with second-row Kurt Velardo winning the throw in.  Penlan set up the push for the line and Kurt completed the job by taking the ball safely over for Penlan try number five which stretched their lead to 12 – 29.

The Penlan lead was looking safe but Taibach never gave up and found the grit to up their game.  The 20 minutes mark saw them putting Penlan under constant pressure in their 22 until they won lineout ball and, demonstrating some fast and accurate passing, got through the defence and gave them a fine try near the posts.  Their accurate kicking continued and earned them the conversion to pull back the Penlan lead to 19 – 29.

Penlan knew that they had to get further ahead to be safe and they returned their efforts with determination. Just 5 minutes later they had turned the tables and were back in the home 22 with a lineout on the 5 metre.  Kurt Velardo safely secured the ball again and some fast passing got it to Captain and flanker Robert Green who came sprinting through on the wing and over the line at the flag to score his tenth try of the season.  Penlan’s sixth try put them ahead by 19 – 34.

Taibach called on their inner strength to come back at Penlan again and at 30 minutes scored their second fine try following winning a scrum near the halfway.  Their resulting attack led to a determined sprint that breached the Penlan defence to earn them a second try to bring the score to 24 – 34.

As time ran out it was clear that Penlan had done enough for the win and it appeared that there would be nothing in the game for Taibach.  Then, at the final moment, Penlan conceded their fifth penalty opportunity for Taibach which they made the most of by kicking safely, thereby reducing the Penlan lead to 27 – 34 and at least securing the home side one bonus point for being within 7.  Despite the creditable 6 tries and win, Penlan’s slips in discipline had allowed Taibach to stay in contention throughout the game and finish closer than they should have allowed.

Penlan now have a fortnights rest which should allow for missing players to return to the side in time for their next game on 30^th. April, at home to Brynamman.  Penlan will have to be at their best for that game against a strong side, currently in second league place and on equal games.  Penlan had lost by a close 19 – 17 in their away encounter last week so the return game promises to be a close match.  Following the games, Penlan remain in fourth table place but are now just one point behind Ystradgynlais, but with a game in hand.  For the updated table, subject to try confirmation, see under the Club tab on the website.

One of the stalwart players missing from Saturday’s game was centre Stephen Davey who gets married next Saturday and was on strict orders not to risk any injury in the meantime.  After the match players and friends met at Penlan to prepare for an extra stag night.  The highlight was when Stephen was blindfolded and waited while dreading what was in store.  The mystery visitor stood behind Stephen and took off the blindfold and when he turned round he was overwhelmed to see his brother who had returned from Australia for the wedding.  They had not seen each other for about three years so it was an emotional moment.   We all extend our very best wishes to Stephen and his partner Eleri for the future.

Very many thanks as ever to our travelling photographers Colin Rush and Mike Evans.  Colin’s photographs have been uploaded to our website gallery and remember that Mike’s will be uploaded in due course to his website www.mike322.com

Other results in Division 2 West Central are currently reported as –

Maesteg Celtic 30    Aberavon Green Stars 21

Nantymoel 22    Cwmllynfell 13

Neath Athletic 53    Cwmgors 5

Ystradgynlais 15    Brynamman 19