ST PETERS U14s 17pts

PENARTH RFC U14s 12

IN AN error-ridden encounter in wet conditions, the Penarth Rugby Club U14s were knocked out of the Blues Cup by "The Rocks."

Unfortunately, Penarth chose the wrong option at times, running across field, and were not their usual self in the contact area and this allowed St Peters to capitalise on their mistakes.

The home team centre took a well timed pass to score their first converted try, although this was matched by a counter attacking run by Josh to score a try wide out, converted by Joe. The teams worked hard in defence to cancel each other out and Penarth were next to score with the try of the game after Haaris broke from a maul to feed Ben J who provided an excellently timed pass for Henry C to burst through.

Penarth stayed ahead and in general control although playing badly for the majority of the game until a controversial try for the home side who crashed over without the ball to make it 12-12. With a minute to go, the home side threw everything at Penarth and managed another try to the astonishment of their supporters who could not believe their luck. The referee told both teams that time was up and all St Peter's needed to do was to catch the restart and put the ball into touch, which they managed without knocking on!

ST JULIAN'S HSOB U14s 10pts

PENARTH RFC U14s 0

TRAVELLING to pastures new over the River Usk, Penarth were missing a few players through unavailability and other commitments.

Trying to avenge the demons of last week's Blues Cup defeat. Penarth started well in wet and cloggy conditions, cancelling out the Saints' attacks, with both Ellis and Luc to the fore in defence and not losing a tackle challenge. Ably led by captain Tomo and with Joe marshalling the backs, Penarth did well in the close quarter contests as well as handling superbly in the back line in slippery conditions. The frustration of the home players benefited Penarth who put some telling kicks together to keep their opponents pegged back, while also defending for all their worth to keep the match scoreless for most of the first half. A slight lapse in defence, after the Saints kept the ball well for a number of phases, saw their centre burst through and give his side a 5-0 half-time lead.

Penarth restarted with real vigour, turning the opposition and pressurising well near their line. Following a sin bin for the Saints, Penarth looked to capitalise through Ben, Joe and Henry but the home defence stood firm. Penarth were hit by injuries to Hugh, Tom and Ben, but the replacements competed well in all the challenges.

With time running out, Penarth ran hard from their own line but, when the ball was lost in contact, Saints released their huge winger who scampered over wide out from 30 metres to clinch the game.

However, Penarth proved that they can compete well when they put their mind to it and certainly had a better feeling at the end of this match than last week after the cup defeat. Penarth's display was praised by the home coaches, and all the players stood up to be counted, none more so than Luc at full back who was a reliable last line of defence. Tomo led by example, Geraint was exceptional in the loose, Tom G was always brave and Joe produced a series of deft kicks which, combined with his text book tackling, won him the "Dame of the Game" award.

Thanks are extended to all players, coaches and the referee, and especially to Penarth parents for ensuring players are committed to play in all conditions and venues.

Squad: Geraint, Niall, Hugh, Liam, Ellis, Tomo, Haaris, Tom G, Morgan, Joe, Ben J, Henry C, Henry W, Gryff, Lyle, Luc, Alex, Henry W and Ben E.

Next week's plan is to have training at Penarth, with a dads and lads session followed by all sons buying their parents some much-needed liquid refreshment.