PENARTH Hockey Club’s 2nd XI suffered a setback in their pursuit of further silverware in 2016-17, as a disappointing performance led to an early exit from the season’s cup competition in Swansea, but there was a notable landmark for the resurgent club as it fielded four senior sides for the first time in more than 20 years.

After losing in the final of the Challenge Cup last season, Penarth’s 2nd XI were looking to go one step further this season, but first needed to overcome the now familiar start-of-season hurdle posed by the multi-team qualifying competition in Swansea.

The Vale side opened up against Cardiff and Met in their first game but, in an end-to-end encounter, it was Cardiff who struck first, capitalising on a breakaway to find a free man in the D. Penarth fought back to level before the interval, with increasing pressure eventually allowing Dave Kidby to apply the finishing touch to a nice passing move, but the Bears were to be guilty of missing further good chances and, as the game continued to feature goalmouth action at both ends, were made to pay when Cardiff and Met grabbed two second half goals to run out 3 - 1 winners.

Although the late withdrawal of second scheduled opponent Abergavenny gave the disappointed Penarth players a lengthy break between games, it also removed an opportunity to put some points on the board and the Vale side eventually faced a strong Bridgend side knowing that they needed to win by two clear goals if they were to qualify for the cross-group play-off games that would determine who progressed to the semi-finals at the Welsh Institute of Sport later in the season.

Unfortunately for the Bears, it was Bridgend who came out of the blocks the quicker and, having pressed Penarth hard enough to box them into their own half, the pressure eventually told as three quick-fire goals threatened to put the tie beyond doubt.

It could have been 4 - 0 before the interval but for a magnificent save by Mark Harris that denied Bridgend from the penalty spot, and the moment seemed to inspire the Vale side as they fought back in the second half.

Goals from Phil Lane, with a beautiful reverse stick flick into the top corner, and Andrew Hornby, from the penalty spot after another of Lane’s efforts was illegally blocked on the line, appeared to give Penarth hope of at least a positive result, but the fightback fell short as Bridgend added a soft fourth goal with Penarth down to 10 men late in the game.

The Bears will now need to bounce back to recover from these disappointing defeats before the league season begins if they are to mount a bid for back-to-back divisional titles and accompanying promotion.

Goalscorers: Dave Kidby, Phil Lane, Andrew Hornby

Penarth 2 - Whitchurch 2

With the Welsh Trophy qualifiers and new league season just around the corner, Penarth’s senior side faced the toughest game of their pre-season as they welcomed a full-strength Whitchurch 1st XI squad to the ‘Bears Den’ at Stanwell School. However, with the 2nd team taking a squad to their cup qualifier, the 1sts had to rely on a bare 11 to battle both their opponents and the sweltering weather conditions.

Whitchurch made the better start, enjoying the lion’s share of possession in the opening exchanges, setting a high tempo while Penarth looked to conserve their energy stores for later in the game. Despite their better start, however, Whitchurch struggled to break down a resilient Penarth side showing plenty of discipline to keep their shape and structure.

The visitors did go close to breaking the deadlock but, while the deft touch from the forward managed to lob the ball over Adam Putt, it found the crossbar and could be cleared to safety.

The near miss would spark a response from Penarth, and the half continued in an open manner, with both teams looking for the breakthrough – which eventually went to Whitchurch with the half-time whistle approaching as former Penarth player Robert Williams converted a powerful drag flick that left Putt frustrated.

Penarth did not take long to strike back after the interval, with David Joyce striking a penalty corner from the top of the D that took a nasty bobble in front of the hapless goalkeeper, and, despite Whitchurch’s numerical advantage, it was the bare 11 of Penarth that dominated the second half.

It was ironic then that Williams was to get the next goal, firing low to Putt’s right, but Penarth soon wised-up to his tactic and, at the next opportunity, charged his effort down to spring a lighting counter-attack that found new recruit Andrew Willemite at the back post to score his first goal for the club and level the scores at 2 - 2.

Although both teams had chances to win the game, a draw was a fair result for a high quality encounter, but Penarth left as the happier team, having faced down a Whitchurch side playing two divisions higher in the league pyramid.

Goalscorers: David Joyce, Andrew Willemite

Penarth B 3 - Cardiff Medics A 4

Having played as part of a combined development team the week before, Penarth’s 3rd XI began their pre-season preparations with a fixture against a Cardiff Medics team set to compete two divisions higher in the GoCrea8 league structure, but proved worthy opponents for the students.

The opening 20 minutes remained goalless, but Penarth enjoyed equal amounts of possession, if not territory. The Vale side were solid at back with the quartet of Simon Wilkinson, Matt Birch, Paul Thomas and Rob Harrison holding firm, and it was only the first real misplaced pass of the game that allowed the Medics to break the deadlock.

Unfortunately for Penarth, that strike was followed by another just a few minutes later as the Medics broke away following a dreadful Penarth penalty corner, but the home side were able to reduce the deficit before the interval as James Kidby converted following an excellent passing move at the end of the half.

Penarth started the second half as the better team and, within five minutes, were on level terms as Dave Watkins capitalised on an interception. However, a mistake at the other end swiftly handed the Medics a chance to go back in front capitalising, leaving the home side to fightback all over again.

To their credit, Penarth stuck to their task and eventually pulled the scores level at 3 - 3 following another good attacking move, with Kidby calmly getting his second goal of the game after a clinical through ball from Adam Morse.

Sadly for the Bears, the last 15 minutes belonged mainly to the Medics as their youth superior fitness began to tell, but the Penarth defence held out into the dying moments, with goalkeeper Jason Harris making a couple of notable saves before a penalty corner right on the final whistle provided a final opportunity for the students to snatch victory.

Despite the defeat, it was an excellent all-round performance from the Penarth side, with special mention going to Nathan Townsend, whose tireless effort in midfield stopped many Medics attacks before they could develop into anything dangerous.

Goalscorers: James Kidby (2), Dave Watkins

Gwent C 3 - Penarth C 1

Saturday saw the next step on Penarth Hockey Club's development towards its 2020 Vision and Goals when, for the first time in more than 20 years, a true senior 4th XI took to the field in addition to three other sides.

Faced by a more experienced Gwent team, the C-siders gave an excellent account of themselves on a Rougemont pitch reminiscent of the one at Penarth's former home at Colcot. On the heavily-sanded and very uneven surface, the visitors were unlucky to lose 3 - 1 in a game they could, and should, have at least drawn.

Hampered by the late withdrawal of their goalkeeper, Penarth were grateful to their hosts for lending them a replacement, but the youngster could do little when, from the breakdown of a dubious penalty corner, the men of Gwent took an early lead.

To their credit, the young Penarth side fought back strongly and, following good work by Jack Ritchie, veteran Derek Wooding brought the scores level. Parity was short-lived, however, as shortly before the half-time break, Gwent managed to force the ball home from short range to take a 2 - 1 lead into the interval.

The second half began much as the first had ended and, with the Penarth youngsters tiring quickly, the Gwent side took advantage to extend their lead. A tactical switch by the Penarth skipper, pushing additional players into the contested midfield saw the C-siders take control of the latter stages but, despite a succession of penalty corners resulting from the increased Penarth pressure, a series of saves and goal-line clearances meant the Vale side were unable to claw back the deficit and Gwent ran out 3 - 1 winners.

It was an extremely close call for man-of-the-match between returning veteran Ian Brookfield and newcomer Iwan Meddins, but the general consensus was that the youngster richly deserved the award for a highly promising senior debut.

Goalscorers: Derek Wooding

Three of the four Penarth Hockey Club sides are in action this weekend, with the 1st XI taking their turn in cup qualifying action as they take the first step towards defending the Welsh Trophy they won last season.

The 2nds travel to face off against Cardiff Medics, while the 4ths entertain Llanishen and Caerphilly B at Stanwell. All three sides will play in the memory of club stalwart Brian Lowe, who sadly died at the start of the week.

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. Training takes place on Wednesdays at Stanwell School, with the juniors on the pitch between 6.15pm and 7.15pm and the seniors between 7pm and 8.15pm.

Anyone interested in joining the club at senior or youth level can contact club secretary Dave Stevens (d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk) for further information.