Fine start fizzles out very quickly (From Penarth Times)

Fine start fizzles out very quickly

PENARTH 15 PTS

MERTHYR 57 PTS

WITH CUP games in Cardiff as well as Penarth, Saturday was a very busy day for local rugby. While the Cardiff Blues were booed off the field after a lacklustre first half in their Heineken cup game against Leeds Tykes, Penarth gave a spirited display in the first quarter against their opponents, First Division Merthyr RFC, at the Athletic Field.

Unlike the Blues, however, who scored four second half tries to secure a victory including a bonus point, the Seasiders were unable to maintain the early momentum of a 10-point lead as Merthyr ran in nine tries in to win what was a very entertaining match. The score line did not give the home side the credit they deserved.

Merthyr kicked off from the town end to start this second round cup-tie on a very sunny afternoon. The ball was driven back into the visitors' 22 metre line, resulting in scrappy play and a scrambled ball and Merthyr were adjudged offside.

A penalty was awarded, Danny Brookman was successful with his kick and within five minutes Penarth were ahead 3-0.

Following a clearance to halfway and a quick follow-up by the visitors, the ball was stolen by Penarth and kicked 50 yards back into the opponents' half.

Good work by Edwards and Evans enabled the ball to be passed to James Crothers, who crossed the line to score an early try for Penarth, which was converted by Danny Brookman.

This galvanised Merthyr and, following a lineout on the Penarth line, Ryan Harris cut through the defence and went over to score their first try.

Merthyr kicked off and made a good 50 yards into the home side's 22 metre area, where Kevin Fitzgerald collected the ball and made another 20 yards before passing to Danny Bookman, who kicked for touch. Lineout ball was collected by Merthyr, a maul followed and a quick ball to Simon Parry saw the visitors score their second try to level the scores.

Merthyr now took the initiative and a penalty kick to the Penarth 10 yard line was lost by the Seasiders, picked up and Merthyr had scored again.

This spurred Penarth and following a good scrum and lineout in which Simon Crothers played a substantial role, Chris Payne crossed the line for a Penarth try.

Merthyr responded very quickly and within minutes had scored a further converted try. The visitors added to their scoreline just before half-time with the now familiar 50-yard kick upfield and rapid follow-up, this time by Andrew Richards, which was easily converted by Ryan Harris to make the interval score 15 -29.

In the second half, Merthyr put pressure on the Seasiders and, following a series of drives that went against Penarth, the visitors scored a further converted try.

Following the restart, a pass was intercepted by Darren Lynch, but Merthyr were judged to be offside. The subsequent kick by Penarth was too long and went over the Merthyr line - a missed opportunity for the hosts

Within a short space of time, Merthyr had scored again when a pass by Danny Brookman was anticipated and neatly intercepted by Gareth Williams, the Merthyr number four, who cut through and scored under the posts for Neil Burnett to convert.

The game was now settling into a familiar pattern and when Euan Moorcraft attempted to collect a kick from Merthyr on the Penarth 22, he was engulfed by Merthyr players who had followed up very quickly. A scrum was awarded to Merthyr, taken quickly and Darren Lynch scored a runaway try under the posts.

Penarth then produced a short period of good attacking play, culminating in an excellent run by Mike Clare out of his own half, only to be brought down just beyond half way and the visitors were able to win the turnover ball.

In the final minutes, Andrew Richards scored the ninth try for Merthyr, following lost possession from a Penarth scrum. He was able to pass through the Penarth defence and score under the posts, making the final score Penarth 15, Merthyr 57

Penarth played well but were up against a well-drilled and experienced side who made the best of every opportunity.

Penarth must now concentrate on their next league match against Llandaff which is at the Athletic Field on Saturday, October 29, kick off 2.30pm

Penarth: Steve Roberts; Ieuan Moorcraft; (Ross Olney); Dafydd Hobbs; Andrew Edwards; James Crothers; Danny Brookman; Chris Mortimer; David Morgan; Geraint Evans; (Tom Bennett); Richard Merrett (Brian Higgins); Simon Crothers; Kevin Fitzgerald; Chris Payne; (Kyle Blake) Michael Hopkins; Mike Clare.