Penarth RFC Youth 21

Llandaff Youth 20

PENARTH RFC Youth team had just a short trip to a neutral ground at Canton RFC, in order to play Llandaff Youth in the semi-final of the WRU Youth Plate competition on Saturday.

Having played Llandaff on three occasions this season, with the Cardiff team being winners on two out of the three encounters, it was always going to be a tough afternoon for the Penarth boys, especially with the windy conditions which met them.

It was Llandaff who started the game well, utilising the wind to assist them, and a well drilled pack of forwards caused Penarth to defend for the majority of the first half.

Llandaff scored two quick tries and a penalty to go 15 - 0 up in the first 20 minutes.

However, the outstanding skills and speed of the Penarth backline eventually kicked in, when they broke away whilst in their own 22, and scrum half Morgan Rees found himself receiving the ball on the wing with 50 metres to run.

Being cheered on by the travelling Penarth support he went over in the corner for a try.

Llandaff soon responded, and scored another try of their own and ended the first half 20 - 5 in the lead and quite confident that they had the game sewn up.

With some stern words of encouragement from coaches Andy Pyman and Simon Rees at half-time the Penarth team realised that they needed to play their rugby using the strong wind to their advantage.

The Penarth forwards started to pile on the pressure with some storming runs from Nathan Frost, and eventually the pressure told when Llandaff started to give away a number of penalties in their own half.

Outside half Joe Williams kicked superbly during the half and slotted over three penalties to bring the score to 20 - 14.

With the game still in the balance, and with three minutes to go, the Penarth forwards started to pile on the pressure and again it gave a chance for the Penarth backs to show their pace by skilfully executing a backline move with replacement full back Harry Williams finishing of with a try under the posts, converted by Joe Williams to put Penarth in the lead 21 - 20.

A nail biting three minutes then occurred whilst Llandaff gave one last effort, but with some sterling defence from Penarth they disrupted play and the final whistle was blown to a massive cheer from the travelling support.

This was a great day for the whole Penarth RFC Youth squad, who have had a excellent season.

They now look forward to the WRU Youth Cup Finals Day on April 8 at Cardiff Arms Park where they will be playing Burry Port Youth.