Hartwell put their shirts on Youth (From Penarth Times)

Hartwell put their shirts on Youth

Penarth Youth 41 points - Canton Youth Nil

WITH ONE of the largest squads that the Youth have ever had and record numbers turning out for training, Penarth's under 19 rugby players are on a roll.

Unbeaten this season, after matches against top clubs like Worcester, London Irish and Lydney, this attractive and promising side put on a fine performance last Saturday in front of an appreciative crowd.

Penarth started favourites, but Canton put on a dogged, unflagging defence for the whole game. There are no prima donnas in the Youth but players like Leon Andrews grow in skill and confidence with each match, and he was the first one to come from deep, cut through Canton defence and score the first of his two tries (unconverted).

Newcomer John Boland was the next to have the honour of scoring with Leon converting.

A beautiful move started by Scott Pearson from well inside his own half, feeding to Tim Naylor and on to winger Stephen Cross was disallowed when the ball was not properly grounded but Scott got sweet revenge soon after when he broke through for his own try, Leon converting.

Number 8 Scott is another player who is impressing spectators with his ability to pick the ball up off the back of the scrum and run powerfully through the opposition making a lot of ground. Another newcomer, Tim Naylor scored an unconverted try just before half time.

Geraint 'Trev' Blake, whose reappearance for the Youth this season is very welcome, justified his place in the team with a try early in the second half and he was later nominated 'Backs Man of the Match' with Scott Pearson named for the Forwards.

Leon Andrews disheartened the Canton squad with his long ranging kicks all afternoon and he put down his second try some minutes later.

As Penarth extended their dominance over the visitors with inventive moves, Scott Pearson scored the last try of the match with Carl Marsh converting.

This Saturday Penarth were due to play away to Llanishen in the BT Dragons Trust National Youth League, but the North Cardiff side have had difficulty fielding a side, so last minute changes may be made.