Penarth are champs again champs again (From Penarth Times)

Penarth are champs again champs again

PENARTH Lacrosse Club successfully retained their Wales and West Area title for the third year running on Sunday November 14, at Bath's picturesque Recreation Ground, as they ran out undefeated and conceded just five goals throughout the entire tournament.

This year's tournament saw entrants Bath City, Bath University, Gloucester University, Penarth and UWIC and the trialling of a new handicap system in attempting to minimise the difference between teams from different divisions in the South of England League (SEMLA).

GAME 1: PENARTH 4 VS 2 BATH UNIVERSITY

Despite arriving in plenty of time to warm up, once again it was a slow start from the Welsh team in their first match against Bath Uni and they were made to battle for a victory from the first whistle.

Whilst the defence withstood large periods of pressure, tireless work from the midfield enabled Penarth to break quickly and some clinical finishing from the attack saw the Blue and Reds run out 4-2 winners. It was a hard-earned win and spurred the Penarth team on to redouble their efforts for the rest of the tournament.

GAME 2: PENARTH 7 VS 0 UWIC

The second game of the round robin series saw something of a local derby against an enthusiastic UWIC side.

Determined not to underestimate their Cardiff opponents, the Penarth lads put in a thoroughly professional performance as they dominated possession for long periods and controlled the pace of the game.

Having heeded the warnings from their first match, Penarth kept a clean sheet and ran out comfortable winners 7-0.

GAME 3: PENARTH 6 VS 3 BATH CITY

In a repeat of the 2003 final, Penarth met a depleted Bath City side for their 3rd group game in what was expected to be a hard fought and highly charged encounter. It proved to be every bit as well-contested as expected and it was Bath who started more brightly and took the lead.

However, with Bath's danger man and top scorer Nik Roberts effectively sealed out of the game through some excellent man-marking from stand-in defender Andy Morgan, Penarth's midfield began to flex its muscles and exert a grip on the game they were not to relinquish.

Excellent movement in attack lead to several chances for the Welsh team, but it was well-executed man-up plays which did the damage and pushed the Welsh lads into a commanding 3-1 lead at half time.

The second half saw much of the same, as Penarth extended their lead twice before Bath managed a reply.

Penarth responded with a fast break goal to seal their victory before Bath pulled another back, but it was too little too late for the hosts.

GAME 4: PENARTH 7 VS 0 GLOUCESTER UNIVERSITY

The message before their final game was to not underestimate the students who had proved to be a talented if inexperienced outfit in their earlier games, and were well capable of producing an upset.

In response, Penarth produced a dominant display of pressure lacrosse, retaining possession for the vast majority of the game and allowing Gloucester only a handful of chances, sealing the tournament victory with well-deserved goals from Smith, and a fine first goal for newcomer Olly Price in only his fifth full appearance.

Although a Final had been scheduled, and was due to take place between Penarth and Bath City, the hosts conceded after several of their squad had been required to leave early, allowing Penarth to celebrate their hat-trick of victories with a well-deserved beer and early return to South Wales.