PENARTH Under-15s welcomed Pentyrch to the Athletic Field on Saturday, February 7, for a late arranged fixture after Llanishen cried off last night. This proved to be a low scoring, very keenly contested match between two sides that had not met for a few seasons.

In foggy conditions and cloggy underfoot, both teams went through the phases with Penarth trying to extend their seven match winning streak to eight.

Pentyrch, with a bare 15 players, were resolute in defence, showing great line speed and tackling technique, snuffing out the Penarth dangerous runners of Joe, Henry, Morgan, Luc and Henry.

Penarth were awarded a penalty out wide, 30 yards out and captain Tomo had no hesitation giving the ball to Joe to attempt his first penalty kick of the season. It sailed over to give Penarth an early lead.

Pentyrch came back at Penarth using their strength in the scrum to drive Penarth off the ball nearly every time.

Morgan had to be replaced after a leg injury and Josh was thrust into the action. Pentyrch gained a penalty for offside 10 metres out and tapped quickly popping the ball to their hooker who powered over despite the Penarth efforts to keep him out. The conversion went wide as the kicker slipped on contact.

This proved to be the last score of the half after both teams went close a number of times but failed to ground the ball over the line.

Gruff was held up, Luc knocked on while grounding the ball and Tomo lost possession with the line in sight.

Ball retention was a key, plus the Pentyrch defence held firm. Penarth were awarded a penalty 25 metres out in front but opted for the tap and lost possession. A number of penalties went to both sides for offside but neither scored from them.

The second half saw some great play by both teams with Pentyrch retaining possession well and using their dangerous backs, especially their outside half who bamboozled the Penarth defence with his sidesteps a number of times.

Both teams had other chances to tie the game up with the Pentyrch centre, dropping the ball when grounding over the line and Dan on the wing for Penarth running hard for the corner, reaching over the line to ground the ball but having touched the touchline in the process.

Joe opted for two more penalties late on in the match to try and gain the lead. One went wide narrowly and the other proved to be the difference.

Having checked if there was time to kick and play the lineout, Penarth opted for the posts knowing that this was the last roll of the dice.

On his favoured right side for a left footer Joe struck the ball high and true to gain another three points and they won the match 6 - 5.

He was duly mobbed by his fellow teammates in a triumphant pile-on.

Pentyrch may have felt unjustly penalised but the rough goes with the smooth as a win for Penarth made up for the tries that went un-scored in the first half.

Joe got voted "dame of the game" by coach Griffiths for his telling scores.

Thanks to all players, supporters and coaches from both teams and they look forward to meeting Pentyrch again in the near future.

Squad: Geraint, Tom G, Alex O, Alex S, Hugh, Tomo, Tom J, Lyle, Gruff, Joe, Jack, Henry, Morgan, Dan, Luc, Haaris and Niall.