Great start for the Bears (From Penarth Times)

Great start for the Bears

PENARTH V

WALCOUNTIAN BLUES

IN their first game of the season, at Old Walcountians Sports Club, London on October 1, under the new-look South of England Premiership, Penarth Bears Lacrosse pulled off a narrow victory against the Walcountian Blues of London.

The final score was 11-10, with a last-second goal by the Blues following a determined last quarter fightback from the hosts - which nevertheless was too little too late, and they finished unable to take away the win from Penarth.

Penarth came out to start the game on fire with an early goal from No11 Will Barrett, followed with two goals from No8 Gareth Bolderson and one more from Barrett to end the quarter up 4-0.

The Blues were not to be outdone, as they fought back with equal offensive pressure through the second and third quarters.

The goals traded back and forth between the two sides, as did the hits, as the game went into half-time.

A late second quarter goal from freshman attackman Anthony Peregrine took the game to 7-3 at half-time.

Both teams continued a fast-paced, action packed game through the whole of regulation, but the Bears' early lead, along with solid goalkeeping from reserve goalkeeper No21 Chris Lee, kept Penarth ahead for the duration.

Several penalties to the Blues saw American midfielder, Ryan Wallace, capitalise on the extra-man advantage with a sizzling top corner shot late in the third quarter.

A goalie change after half-time, combined with several Penarth penalties, allowed the Blues to battle back from the four-goal deficit to bring the game within two, but in the end it was Penarth who were able to come away with the victory.

Penarth are back in action this Saturday, October 8, at home against Reading Lacrosse Club. The action starts at 2.30pm at the Penarth Athletic Ground.

Penarth goalscorers: Barrett (5), Bolderson (2), Peregrine (1), Peters, R. (1), Proctor (1), Wallace (1).