Skaters aid Ty Hafan (From Penarth Times)

Skaters aid Ty Hafan

WITH THE new skater hockey season about to start, Penarth Roller Hockey Club, who have been in training for the last month, accepted the invitation of Pontypool Skater Hockey Club and Pontypool Community Council to enter the 2001 Ty Hafan Skater Hockey Tournament.

The aim of the organisers was to raise at least £1000 towards this most deserving of causes. The tournament took place over the weekend of October 20-21 and Penarth had entered their 'Predators' team in the Junior (U-18) Group, playing against Pontypool, Heads of the Valley, Forest of Dean and Bridgend.

The young Penarth team (average age 15) knew they would be up against stiff opposition, this certainly proved the case, and playing against much more experienced and older boys, they found the going very tough.

Their first match against Bridgend, looked on paper to be the easiest, turned out the opposite with Bridgend winning by 5 goals to 1, Penarth giving a very lack lustre performance.

Forest of Dean Flyers, the only English entries were Penarth's second opponents. With new arrivals for Penarth, Jarrard Ali (in goal) and Martin Davidson, now settling into the team, Penarth played much better, but the very strong Forest of Dean ran out winners by 7 goals to 4.

Penarth were now looking to climb two mountains in Pontypool (hosts) and tournament favourites, Heads of the Valley, who both have a number of Welsh Internationals in their squads.

The game against Pontypool was a 'humdinger' with Penarth holding the lead for most of the match, a late goal giving Pontypool the win by 4 goals to 3.

Penarth's minder, Jarrard Ali, in magnificent form earning him 'man of the match'. He has only recently started playing hockey.

The last game against HOV (unbeaten and the eventual winners) ended in controversy. Penarth 'playing for pride only' were in excellent form and all ten outfield players fitted into their lines, and gave HOV their toughest test.

Again this match went to the wire, and with three disallowed goals and some dubious refereeing decisions, Penarth again finished 4 goals to 3 losers. The audience were full of admiration for Penarth's battling performance and gave them a standing ovation.

Penarth's scorers during the competition were: Matthew Hookings (capt), Lee Jones, Ben White, Sam Bowring, Alex Lord, but a mention for the other young members, Nabeel and Gahmal Rahman, Alun Steen, Martin Davidson, Jarrard Ali and Alex Williams, who gave of their all against much older opposition.

The aim of the organisers, as mentioned, was to raise as much money as possible for the Children's Hospice in Wales Ty Hafan project and with generous sponsorship from competing clubs, and a magnificent raffle, the hope is that the target of £1,000 will be easily reached. To all members of the Penarth squad still owing sponsorship money, please bring to next training session.