Second-half show keeps Seasiders' form consistent (From Penarth Times)

Second-half show keeps Seasiders' form consistent

Penarth 25

Llantwit Major 12

At least the Seasiders are maintaining a level of consistency when it comes to putting away opponents in the lower half of the division.

Llantwit Major had little to offer except an all-action defence and the rampaging Penarth pack had their work cut out to batter them into submission.

Four tries from the front eight made the game safe on the hour and the only excitement came from two 90-metre breaks which brought Llantwit their points.

Early assaults on the visitors' line came to nothing as mauls collapsed with monotonous regularity, but the pack stuck to their task and were eventually rewarded when Geraint Evans popped over for an unconverted try.

In fact, practically the whole of the first half was played out in the Llantwit 22 as the Seasiders tried every permeation to overcome the visitors' defence and the referee's indifference.

Such consistency usually leads to only one possible outcome and Penarth finally lost control of an attacking scrum just before half-time and wing Carey Thomas broke away for a length-of-the-field try which left the teams a barely credible 5-5 at the break.

A sadder but wiser Seasiders pack took to the field for the second half, determined to put things right. Turning down the chance of three easy points in front of the posts, they went for the line-out and Dai Williams twisted off the back of the maul to score in the corner.

The dose was repeated minutes later as Mike Clare made the game safe at 17-5.

Further points were registered after wing James Crothers launched an attack from his own half, putting visiting full-back Mark Jones into all sorts of trouble.

The ball was worked wide to the left, where Mike Clare was on the end of an inside pass from Danny Brookman to score.

There was still plenty of time for outside centre Steve Cullen to capitalise on a mix-up in the Penarth threequarters and run 80 metres for his side's second consolation before Danny Brookman rounded off a fine afternoon's kicking out of hand by slotting over a neat drop-goal.

This could all be good news, as a solid forward platform might be just the ticket for next week's visit to second-placed Aberdare. The Cynon Valley club remain unbeaten in all competitions this season and six points ahead of Penarth having played one game fewer than leaders Fairwater.

However, a closer examination of their recent form gives the impression that they're losing momentum, with an uncharacteristic 60-19 win over bottom club Pontyclun bracketed with more prosaic single-figure margins against struggling Llandaff and Dowlais.

Not forgetting, of course, that the Seasiders recorded a league double last season and should approach the game with some confidence.

Penarth: Davey, Coslett, G.Blake, Carter, J.Crothers, Brookman, Edwards, Merrett, Evans, Seymour, Allen, Gooding, Williams, Clare, Bonello