Rivals' battle (From Penarth Times)

Rivals' battle

9:50am Thursday 25th October 2012 in Sport

DINAS POWYS YOUTH 15pts PENARTH YOUTH 12

THE Penarth side made the short journey to Dinas to play a league game and suffered their first loss of the season.

With the game being a local derby and players knowing each other, it became apparent how important the game was to the home side by the amount of players they drafted back into the squad.

The game started at the expected frantic pace,but this kept on causing both teams to lose possession in key areas of the field; the big difference seemed to be their outside half who seemed to be able to kick the ball nearly to Beddau when ill discipline or basic mistakes by Penarth were made. Penarth had the upper hand in the lineout and scrums but the backs were having a 'bad day at the office' and needed someone to take the initiative; unfortunately, no-one did.

Penarth tries came from Luke and Connor, with one conversion from Tom.

Whilst everyone was disappointed in losing, it took a team recalling several players, and a poor performance and ill discipline by Penarth, to cause the defeat. Several players carrying injuries need to have a break and, fortunately, the squad is large enough to cope and gives opportunities for individuals to make a case for selection. The team will look forward to welcoming Dinas to Penarth later in the season.

With several important games coming up, it is important the team learn from their mistakes and take the lessons forward into next week.

A record of playing eight wins from nine games is something to take forward and everyone would have been delighted with this statistic at the start of the season.

Penarth are playing Barry at the weekend; all support would be welcome.