Seasiders in three-horse race (From Penarth Times)

Seasiders in three-horse race

RHIGOS 5, PENARTH 41

IT was business as usual for the Seasiders at Parc Gwrangon Ganol as they crushed lively Rhigos with a seven-try display, but events a few miles south have suddenly transformed the promotion race.

Aberdare's 15-5 home win against leaders Fairwater not only put them in the top spot on points difference, but leaves third-placed Penarth with a clear view of a route to the title.

The Seasiders' run of nine wins has allowed them to rack up a points difference and try count superior to their rivals, so any dead-heat will come out in their favour.

Back in the rarefied atmosphere of the upper Cynon Valley, the hosts put up a spirited defence before scrum-half Chris Mortimer opened the scoring on 18 minutes.

Penarth had to bide their time in the face of strong opposition and only extended their lead after 34 minutes when Dafydd Hobbs ran straight at the home defence and offloaded to Dai Carter for a typically strong finish.

Rhigos registered their consolation score in the final move of the half as their scrum-half nipped over for an unconverted try.

Turning round with the wind at their backs, there was little doubt that the Seasiders would soon complete the formalities, but they were virtually handed the match on a plate as the home loose-head prop was red-carded after only eight minutes of the second half.

Penarth took a little time to make the pressure count, but the spell was finally broken when Mike Clare went over from a scrummaged penalty after 57 minutes.

First Mike Clare and Geraint Evans made a break from their own 22, setting up Dai Carter for a sprint in from the 10 metre line and then another overlap created from the restart allowed Dafydd Hobbs to break two tackles and race home.

With time almost up, Chris Mortimer cruised over for his second on the end of another Mike Clare pass after a huge shove against the head and the last move of the match saw James Coslett bolting down the right wing for a fine individual score.

The next game for Penarth is on Friday evening, March 18 (ko 7.30pm) is the traditional friendly warm-up with Castle Island before the following day's Wales v Ireland show-down.

League action returns on Easter Saturday, March 26 when Llandaff North are the visitors to the Athletic Field.

For the Seasiders, the target is clear - they simply must win their remaining five games.

Penarth: Davey (Bush), Coslett, Hobbs, Carter (R.Jones), J.Crothers, G.Blake, Mortimer, Merrett, Evans (K.Blake), Seymour, Allen, Gooding (Ball), Taylor, Clare, Bonello