Seasiders take their chances (From Penarth Times)

Seasiders take their chances

Bangor 0 Penarth 14

(Principality Cup - Round 1)

THE SEASIDERS came away from possibly their longest away trip ever in Wales with a hard-fought but well-deserved victory at Cae Millter.

On an excellent playing surface at Bangor's new headquarters in Llandegai, they weathered the home team's forward assaults and bided their time until the few scoring opportunities presented themselves.

Bangor were one of the founder members of the Welsh Football Union in 1880 and kicked off sporting their traditional green and white hoops, neither of which helped them propel the ball the required 10 metres.

The first half was nothing to write home about, as the home defence was well up to the Seasiders' probings and subjected the visitors to a good deal of pressure themselves.

During the first 20 minutes, Penarth were unable to get to grips and rarely ventured outside their own half. Referee John Offa of Builth Wells was kept busy with all sorts of infringements caused by the visitors' over-eagerness.

Fortunately for the Seasiders, the home side's kicker was having one of those days and his penalty attempts flew reliably left of the posts every time he came within range.

Eventually, Penarth managed to gain a foothold in the Bangor half and the pack's momentum led to a penalty for 'not releasing.' Chris Cummings converted to put the Seasiders into the lead.

This was a typical cup tie, where neither side could gain the upper hand and good moves regularly came to grief through handling errors. However it was Penarth who seemed to be best equipped to capitalise as Chris Cummings stroked over a second penalty before half-time to allow the Seasiders to turn around 6-0 in front.

Bangor fought long and hard for possession in every phase of the game, giving Penarth all sorts of grief in the set pieces and the loose.

The Seasiders' line-out was a particular problem area, with the thrower rarely finding his target. Fortunately, the Penarth defence more than made up for these lapses and Bangor gained no real advantage.

The second half was horribly similar to the first and Chris Cummings succumbed to an early injury in a tackle which led to a radical rearrangement of the Seasiders' back division. Carwyn Lewis came on at scrum half, while debutant Ben Morris moved to the wing and veteran Craig Miller was promoted to outside half.

Bangor immediately exerted maximum pressure and almost gained a decisive try, only to concede a penalty which allowed Penarth to clear safely.

The pack, meanwhile, had sorted out their problems and were taking good ball at the front. Their new-found excellence in the maul was also standing them in good stead and they made a good 20 metres to force another penalty which Miller converted for a 9-0 lead.

With about 12 minutes to go and the match still in the balance, Darrol Howden was injured and club captain Mike Clare arrived as a replacement. Stuart Gunnerson moved up to partner Simon Crothers in the engine room and the Seasiders' pack really began to rumble.

Driving forward from a line-out, they gained an attacking scrum and heaved the home eight over the line for a push-over try from Mike Clare which sealed the result.

All in all, this game could easily have been won by either side, so much honest effort being expended by all concerned. On this occasion, it was Penarth who prevailed and maintained their excellent start to the season with a third win from four matches.

Next Saturday, the Seasiders return to league action against familiar opposition. The venue is Central Park, Blaina and this has proved a happy hunting ground more often than not for Penarth. That's not to say that Penarth have always won up there, far from it, but towards the end of last season, when the Lambs were on a bit of a roll, the Seasiders pulled off a stylish win.

Blaina's form is a little difficult to determine, as following a fine 28-15 opening win against New Tredegar, they lost away to Caldicot and then benefited from a walk-over against neighbours Nantyglo in the cup.

Penarth: Brookman, Lobeck, Patnett, Miller, Edwards, C Cummings, Morris, Seymour, Jackson, Muggeridge, Howden (Clare), Crothers, Gunnerson, Gooding, Bonello.