PENARTH Hockey Club’s 2nd XI produced a welcome win over Whitchurch to counter the heavy defeat taken by the senior side against similar opposition in the latest round of games in the Davis Wood Hockey League.

Whitchurch ‘B’ 9-3 Penarth

Penarth’s 1st XI made the short trip to Treforest to take on old rivals Whitchurch looking to bounce back from a heavy home defeat to league leaders Wotton-under-Edge, but instead ran into another offensive barrage.

Although the visitors held their own through the opening phases, it was clear early on that Whitchurch had the advantage going forward, and two quick goals midway through the first half merely hinted at what was to come.

Penarth reduced the deficit through a Chris Baker set piece drag-flick, but Whitchurch hit back almost immediately to restore their two goal lead as they again found a spare man going forward. This pattern was repeated twice more before the interval as goals from Matt Birch and Dave Watkins appeared to have pulled Penarth back into the game, only for the home side to go down the other end and restore their advantage, eventually going into the interval 5-3 ahead.

Having reshuffled their line-up to play four in defence, Penarth remained optimistic that they still had a chance of getting something from the game, but it soon became apparent that the win was only going one way. Seemingly able to find a spare man every time they attacked, Whitchurch regularly overwhelmed the Bears defence, adding four unanswered strikes to their half-time total.

With their usual passing game breaking down, Penarth never really looked like finding a way back into the match, and were left to lick their wounds as they dropped to ninth in division ahead of three crucial home games either side of the Christmas break.

Penarth ‘A’ 3-0 Whitchurch F

Still stinging from their own heavy reverse against Whitchurch ‘D’ the previous weekend, Penarth’s 2nd XI hosted the same opposition’s ‘F’ side at Barry with revenge on their mind.

Right from the start, it was clear that the home side, despite again missing key players filling in for the firsts, had the upper hand and, with Matt Noble back between the sticks, produced a more confident performance than of late.

Although Noble was called on to protect the home goal on more than one occasion, including two fine close-range stops, Penarth gradually eased away from their rivals, opening the scoring before the interval.

With youngsters Sam Salisbury and Rory Vizard providing energy up front, Penarth’s veterans were able to steal the glory as further strikes from Derek Wooding and Freddy Thomas – the latter a net-buster from all of a yard out – ensured that the home side emerged with three vital points that keep them firmly mid-table in a division where four points separates sixth from 12th.

League games continue this weekend (Saturday, December 6), with the 1st XI hosting mid-table Cirencester at Barry Sports Centre and the seconds heading west to take on cellar-dwellers Bridgend at Pencoed.

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. Training takes place on the artificial turf at Barry Sport Centre every Wednesday, with the Juniors in action between 6-7pm and Senior between 7-8pm.

Further information can be obtained from club secretary Dave Stevens at d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk.