Seasiders lose out (From Penarth Times)

Seasiders lose out

10:24am Thursday 8th November 2007

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BEDLINOG 10 PENARTH 6 IN THE LATEST instalment of the on-going struggle with Bedlinog, the Seasiders did just enough to scrape a narrow away win, but actually being awarded the points for all that effort proved a good deal more difficult.

The official view is clear enough: in a titanic clash between the two best teams in the division, leaders Bedlinog scored two good tries while Penarth responded with a brace of penalties, but the whole story reflects rather better on the visitors.

The home side came out of the traps superbly and although the Seasiders defence seemed to be holding off the initial assault comfortably, quick ruck ball set centre T Hiscox free on the left and he drew the full-back before putting wing R Jenkins in at the corner.

Penarth came back strongly and dominated proceedings for ten minutes before Bedlinog were caught offside at the breakdown and James Docherty pulled the score back to 5-3.

While it was pretty even up front, with the returning Andy Pyman tidily shoring up a Merrett-free front row, it was the home backs who were looking slick and it took a superb tackle from Rhys Lakin to save a try as Jenkins was clean through on the wing again.

For the first half-hour, the Seasiders were holding on and taking advantage of whatever good luck came their way, mainly in the form of Bedlinog outside half R Heath's inability to convert his place-kicks all afternoon, but as half-time approached, the visitors began to make more of an impression and could well have done without the interruption.

The second half began in a typically frantic fashion as Bedlinog threw everything but the kitchen sink into an attempt to take the game beyond the Seasiders' reach.

The visitors held out magnificently for 15 minutes, but something had to give and Liam Bevan was shown the yellow card without warning. Bedlinog needed no further encouragement and mauled over from the line-out, with No 8 G Edmunds the scorer.

The score was immediately pegged back to 10-6 as Penarth gained a penalty straight from the restart and Docherty coolly converted, setting the stage for a remarkable last 20 minutes.

Bedlinog were penalised yet again from their own restart and Steve Roberts was off down the right wing and deep into the home 22.

Scrum five to Penarth led to a penalty and a decisive maul from the line-out. Over went the Seasiders pack, but the referee was remarkably badly positioned and declined to award the try.

Almost immediately Penarth repeated the dose and this time home openside C Giles was shown yellow as he dived in at the side as the maul crossed the line again.

A longer shot, perhaps, but no sign of a penalty try for what looked like a certain score. With the clock relentlessly running down, each stoppage brought a Bedlinog injury as the hosts tried everything to hold on to their precarious 4-point lead. Their full-back even tried to drop a goal from the 10 metre line, it was that close.

The final act started as full-back R Jones tried to mark a catch in front of his 22 and then compounded the error by clearing straight to touch as the match finally seemed to be swinging the Seasiders' way. Awarded a penalty from the line-out, Docherty kicked to touch for a 5 metre line-out only for the hosts to bring the maul down again.

Here, at last, was Penarth's chance to come away from the Recreation Ground with a win.

The line-out was taken cleanly and the maul firmly set with Mike Clare in the driving seat. Over they went with considerable momentum and down went the captain for the winning try.

Except that the referee was, unbelievably, in the wrong position and once again declined to award.

Certainly the entire Penarth side and substantial travelling support couldn't believe it, but the scoreboard still stood at 10-6 to the jubilant hosts as the final whistle went.

Still holding on to second place from St Peters by virtue of a superior scoring record, the Seasiders welcome 6th placed Treorchy to the Athletic Field this Saturday for the next instalment.

PENARTH: Docherty, Roberts, Bevan, G Blake, Crothers, Lakin, Mortimer (Edwards), Pyman, Bennett, Power, Ball (Howden), Gooding, Allen, Clare, Cosslett.

FIXTURE Penarth entertain Treorchy at the Athletic Field in a league match this Saturday, k.o. 2.30pm.

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