PENARTH U15s travelled the short drive to Pontyclun to challenge a team they had not played for the last three seasons. Pontyclun are regarded as a strong outfit and Penarth were looking to make amends for last week’s poor performance against Newbridge.

Both teams started well, showing good technique in the forward exchanges and backs willing to have a go at their opposite numbers. Tackling was well executed by most and kept the dangerous runners out wide at bay for both teams.

Penarth were first to score after some short range drives into the Pontyclun half for Niall to eventually crash over and Joe convert to make it 0-7.

Pontyclun hit back soon after through their dangerous winger Jac to score out wide after Penarth were caught out disorganised in defence. Some simple counting and determined tackling may have halted this.

Penarth managed to score once more before half time through Josh who gathered a loose kick on halfway on the left and after six handoffs and a timely jink on a huge arcing run to the right he scored in the corner. Halftime 5-12.

Penarth were in control for most of the second half and after some tactical and positional changes managed to score another try through some quick thinking by Geraint who tapped and powered over from 15m out, Joe converted once more, 5-19. All Penarth needed to do was to keep control of the ball when they had it and defend sensibly when the opposition had. But Pontyclun had other ideas and got back on the score sheet through their strong running backs to score two more tries and bring the score level at 19 all with three minutes to play.

Penarth lost the ball at an attacking scrum an instead of working hard to defend, most of the pack stood watching and cursing the referee instead of scrambling back to defend. Pontyclun managed to ship it wide after a number of tackles and feed Jac Gould, their fastest player, who rounded the defence to score and convert. Penarth still had two minutes to restart and retrieve the ball but it was not to be as Pontyclun controlled the ball to finish the contest, making the score 26-19 in their favour.

Penarth played far better than their last match, although they must be kicking themselves for losing a match that they were in control of.

Dame of the Game went to Joe Williams for his control at fly half combined with some textbook tackling and clear outs in the ruck area.

Thanks to Pontyclun for their welcome and we look forward to possibly playing them at home later in the season.

Squad - Geraint, Niall, Tom J., Alex S., Hugh, Tomo, Haaris, Tom G., Ellis, Liam, Alex O., Dan, Gryff, Joe, Jack, Lyle, Josh, Morgan, Luc, Ben.