PENARTH Hockey Club’s 2nd XI again provided the high point of the weekend, grinding out a win against Bridgend while the Firsts continued to struggle for reward in the latest round of games in the Davis Wood Hockey League.

Penarth 3-6 Cirencester

Without a point in their past two games, the 1st XI were hoping that a home fixture, with a strengthened side, against fellow strugglers Cirencester would provide a turnaround.

The game started brightly at a sun-drenched Barry Sports Centre, with Penarth enjoying most of the early possession. Unlike recent weeks, they made the pressure count through a typical Chris Baker run and strike to take the lead, and quickly doubled the advantage thanks to Gareth Hurman's ‘composite leg’, the first of several ‘interesting’ calls that failed to serve either team in their efforts.

Despite the double blow, Cirencester struck back to make the score 2-1 midway through the half, but the deficit was only briefly reduced before Baker slotted a penalty corner under the right foot of the otherwise-impressive 17-year old Cirencester goalkeeper. Penarth failed to hold on to the two-goal gap, however, as another goal for the visitors completed the first half action and kept them in contention for the second period.

Although they held the upper hand heading into the break, the second half proved Penarth’s undoing as the period descended into an all-too-familiar scenario of ill-discipline. With two yellow cards reducing the hosts to nine men, Cirencester seized the initiative and, clearly sensing victory, capitalised in clinical fashion. Four unanswered goals transformed the match in the Gloucestershire side’s favour, and condemned Penarth to their third straight defeat.

The result was a particularly tough pill for the Vale side to swallow and, although the middle of the table remains closely-matched, they now find themselves at the wrong end of the pack going into the second half of the season.

Bridgend ‘B’ 1-2 Penarth ‘A’

Penarth’s 2nd XI headed into their first December fixture buoyed by possibly their best performance of the season to date and, facing bottom of the table Bridgend, sensed a rare opportunity to string together consecutive wins.

Despite the relatively late start in Pencoed, conditions remained ideal for hockey, and Penarth started strongly, taking the game to their hosts and looking every inch the better side. However, even with a strengthened front line, the visitors remained wasteful in front of goal, and it took several chances before an alert Rob Harrison pounced on a rebound to finally break the deadlock.

Perhaps believing a little too much in their dominance, Penarth failed to build on the breakthrough, wasting possession in midfield and gradually allowing Bridgend to exert unwarranted pressure on the defence. Some keen rearguard action, with goalkeeper Jason Harris called on to make a couple of sharp saves, kept the score at 1-0 for much of the half, but Bridgend were not to be denied and, catching their visitors unprepared at a penalty corner, pulled level just before the interval.

Some stern words at half-time refocused the Penarth side and the second period opened in similar fashion to the first, with the Bears regaining control of the midfield and putting increased pressure on the Bridgend goal. Once again, however, they found a goalkeeper in inspired form, although that could not disguise the number of chances that were still being wasted.

Penarth eventually retook the lead during a series of penalty corners, when Craig Llewellyn overcame a mis-controlled pass to find a gap between defenders on the line, but again the visitors could not build on the lead and allowed their hosts to hope for a share of the points.

Penarth’s defence was again called upon to resist greater pressure in the final 10 minutes, with Graeme Jones and Nathan Townsend underlining solid games as they helped preserve the slight advantage.

Relieved to come away with the full three points, while acknowledging that Bridgend probably deserved a share, Penarth confirmed seventh spot in a De Cymru 2 table that is gradually becoming more strung out with two games remaining before the Christmas/New Year break.

League games continue this weekend (Saturday, December 13), with the 1st XI hosting a Cardiff Medics side sharing the same number of points, and the Seconds heading back across county borders to take on a Gwent side currently propping up the division after slipping below Bridgend on goal difference at the weekend.

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.