Game was played at a terrific pace (From Penarth Times)

Game was played at a terrific pace

ON Sunday, November 20, Dinas Powys Under 12s travelled the short distance to play their old rivals, and very good friends, Penarth, in a game kindly hosted by Penarth at short notice.

The conditions were near perfect for what was always going to be yet another fantastic encounter between the two teams.

Dinas were sporting their brand new kit which was bought for them by A & A Tyre Services of Whittle Road, off Penarth Road. The support of Russ Andrew of A & A Tyre Services, whose son Kyle plays for the team, is very much appreciated by all the players and parents.

The game was played at a terrific pace with both sides moving the ball wide at every opportunity.

Ashton Allen played well until injury forced him off and the first try of the match was scored by Ben Harding of Dinas as he raced 40 metres around the Penarth defence before scoring under the posts.

Penarth fought back well and looked good at the ruck and maul area and finished the half with a fine try in the corner.

Dinas went in 7-5 up at the break but had not reckoned on what was to follow in the second half.

Penarth came out with all guns blazing. The pack looked strong and their number 10 was outstanding as he handed off would-be tacklers with a style reminiscent of former Wales International, John Devereux.

Penarth's second try followed a period of pressure from Dinas with good work from Ben Spear, Tom Davies, James Griffiths, Connor Parsons, Caleb Rowlands, Morgan Johnston, Gruff Walton and Elias Jamieson.

Penarth ripped the ball from Dinas and their player showed tremendous pace to run 70 metres for a great score under the posts.

Both sides tackled their hearts out with Gareth Huish, Ben White, Duke Durham, Rhys Roberts and Kyle Andrew doing particularly well for Dinas.

Stefan Kadach played superbly on the wing for Dinas and at 19-7 down Dinas could easily have folded.

However, each and every player showed incredible determination to claw their way back into the match.

Duke sprinted in for Dinas' second try following a superb break by Evan Halls. Rhys converted.

With only a couple of minutes to go and five points behind Dinas needed to do something special.

Excellent work by the forwards lead to Ben Harding charging downfield again as he passed to Duke who then off-loaded to Sam Abbott who swerved through the Penarth defence to score a great try. Ben White's second successful conversion made the score 21-19 to Dinas.

It was a magnificent game of rugby enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to be there.