Penarth draw some positives from defeat (From Penarth Times)

Penarth draw some positives from defeat

PURLEY 24PTS

PENARTH 5PTS

IT WAS a long journey back down the M4 for an illness-ravaged Penarth lacrosse side who battled gallantly but never threatened to cause an upset against perennial SEMLA champions, Purley.

No less than six players were unavailable, which meant the Welsh lads made the trip to London with a bare bones squad of 11, and only two first choice defenders (Wills and later Morgan stepping in impressively to plug the gap at the back).

Penarth started brightly and scored immediately from the face off. Stanford broke quickly from midfield and Welsh international Bolderson finished crisply. The lead was short-lived as Purley hit back with two excellently worked goals.

The second quarter continued much as the first had ended, with Purley controlling the pace of the game and as Penarth legs grew tired in defence, the attack suffered through a lack of the movement that had been so prominent in the first quarter.

Penarth were not without scoring opportunities, notably hitting the post and forcing South of England goalkeeper Paul Terry into some superb reaction saves but these were few and far between as the Purley attack took their chances with the kind of finishing that has led them to the title for the last seven years, and the home side lead 10-1 at half time.

The third quarter saw resurgence from Penarth, as they refused to roll over and produced some of their best lacrosse of the match. Again Bolderson led the charge with his trademark bullish attacking, including a superbly-taken effort into the top corner from a supposedly weaker left hand.

Going into the last quarter leading 14-4, Purley found another gear to quell any lasting resistance from a tired Welsh side and produced some sparkling play.

A sole response, and first goal of the season, for Penarth captain Matt Wills was all the team from Wales could manage in a final quarter iwhich Purley thoroughly dominated and won 10-1, taking the final score to a resounding 24-5 win for the home side.

Penarth will draw many positives from a match which showed they are well capable of playing good quality lacrosse, and are justifiably one of the front-runners in the battle for promotion to Division 1.

Penarth goal scorers: Bolderson (4) Wills (1).