Chance for Penarth to claim division"s top spot (From Penarth Times)

Chance for Penarth to claim division"s top spot

THERE were no games in Division 4 (SE) last weekend, because of the International.

However, this coming Saturday brings us Round Three of the Konica Minolta cup, which ought to leave the Seasiders in control of their own fate.

Of course, Penarth were knocked out of the cup in the last round, going down a fighting 16-57 against First Division Merthyr, but the point is that close rivals Penallta, Taff's Well and Cilfynydd all won their ties and therefore have no league fixtures this weekend.

This leaves only the Seasiders and fourth-placed Bedlinog in a position to claim the top spot, with three points between them.

Penarth's home fixture against a Cowbridge side without an away win this season compares favourably with Bedlinog's task away at lowly Dowlais, but if both sides win, as should be the case, the Seasiders will lead the table.

Last season, the Seasiders rather indulged themselves at Cowbridge's expense, winning all three encounters. A narrow league win at the Broad Shoard was followed by a more convincing 37-8 result in the cup, but Penarth saved the best for last as they registered their season's second highest score, winning 50-17 at the Athletic Field this time last year.

Back in the cup, Cilfynydd now face a trip to Merthyr, while current Division 4 (SE) leaders Penallta play host to Division 1 leaders Bonymaen. However, Taff's Well have captured the pick of the ties (if no realistic chance of progressing to the next round), as they welcome Premier Division leaders Neath to Maes Gwyn.

The Seasiders have extended their winning run to three games, following their autumn dip in form.

Attendance at training continues at a gratifyingly high level and the squad just seems to get stronger.

Paul Gooding's welcome return to an already powerful second row could be considered the icing on the cake, but it's in the back division that the improvement has been most visible.

A vigorous back five that was occasionally exposed as being a little short on ideas has been transformed by the return of Chris Reddicliffe and David Jenkins, while the more recent arrival of wing Andrew Bradshaw gives the Seasiders a fearsome cutting edge on both flanks.

With proven try-scorers in reserve or injured and options available in both front and back rows, Penarth have rarely looked as well equipped for that elusive first promotion as they do now and really do deserve to be attracting large and enthusiastic crowds to the Athletic Field.

Penarth entertain Cow-bridge at The Athletic Field on Saturday, December 3, kick-off 2.30pm.