Bears side roar triumphantly (From Penarth Times)

Bears side roar triumphantly

THE PENARTH Bears Lacrosse Club was victorious last Saturday against Spencer Lacrosse Club of London, at Penarth Athletic Ground.

The final score was 14-10 in the yearly SEMLA Flags Cup Competition, which runs concurrently with normal league play.

The Bears continue regular season play this coming Saturday at home against rival Hitchin Lacrosse Club from Luton.

After opening the game with a quick score off the face-off, Spencer appeared to be ready to control the tempo of the game in the first quarter.

But Penarth were not prepared to play the entire game behind in the points.

Two early goals from attackman No 8 Gareth Bolderson scored from the inside, and one from attackman No 11 Will Barrett put Penarth up 3-2 at the end of the first quarter and Penarth controlled the rest of the game from here.

The second quarter saw another two goals from Bolderson, and one more from Barrett, while Spencer managed to put in only one. Penarth defence enjoyed a solid game in the backfield despite strong attacks from Spencer's big attackmen.

Penarth also had control of the midfield and in offence, as they took the lead after the third quarter up to 11-5.

The game got pretty physical after half time as Spencer fell further behind.

Physical fatigue took its toll as well, allowing Penarth to capitalise on several turnovers in midfield, and two Spencer penalties allowed Penarth to make the most of the extra man advantage.

Attackman Mikey Gamble, recently returned from the US, had one goal in the third on a fast break from the midfield.

Midfielder Andy Morgan scored a blistering outside shot, his first of the season, on a broken Spencer clear from the defensive end.

But Spencer were not yet out of the game.

A late scoring drive plus two Penarth penalties in the fourth quarter brought them five goals closer to an even score, but in the end it was not enough.

Penarth stayed ahead to finish the game 14-10 and top scorers were Will Barrett with a total of six goals, and Gareth Bolderson with a total of four. Barrett is currently in the top three scorers of the entire Southern English Men's Lacrosse Association.

Penarth are at home again this Saturday, November 3, against Hitchin Lacrosse club. Face-off is at 2pm at Penarth Athletic Ground.

Come and see the hard-hitting action, or check out www.penarthlacrosse.com