Penarth reach top of the league tables (From Penarth Times)

Penarth reach top of the league tables

HAVING played exactly half of their 22 match league programme before the end of the year, all the Seasiders wanted for Christmas was to go into the New Year at the top of the table.

Having got their noses in front as a result of a 53-0 home win against Dinas Powys, they went one better and stretched their lead with a 58-0 demolition of Penygraig.

With the comfort of a three-point cushion, Penarth can now afford to consolidate, although this simply means continuing to win all their games, as usual.

A trip to Llandaff North this Saturday is followed by the visit of Taff s Well to the Athletic Field and then away again up at Dowlais.

There then follows a sequence of three games which will probably decide the Seasiders fate.

Fixtures against both the teams who have managed to lower their colours and a third contender they have yet to play this season will provide that acid test.

January 28 sees the visit of close rivals Penallta to the Athletic Field. The side in second place have certainly maintained the pace after their 48-10 win at Ystrad Mynach back in October, with only a 21-5 cup defeat against First Division Bonymaen spoiling their 100 percent record.

Penarth then travel to fourth-placed Cilfynydd, who have the bit well and truly between their teeth as well as two matches in hand.

Bedlinog arrive next at the Athletic Field with a slightly less sparkling record, but no-one is kidding themselves that the team in sixth place presents anything less than a serious threat.

Of course, winning all their other games will help and that s always an option, the way they re playing at present.

A phenomenal 66 tries, 18 in the last two games, make them a threat to anyone and Llandaff North will need their wits about them come Saturday.

The Cardiff club are settled into fifth place, six points behind Penarth.

Their recent form has been solid, having, like the Seasiders, won their last five games.

However, Penarth won convincingly at the Athletic Field back in September, scoring seven tries in a 49-17 rout.