Penarth Hockey Club’s 2nd XI held on under late pressure to secure a fifth game without defeat to strengthen their position in the Davis Wood Hockey League.

Penarth ‘A’ 2-1 Llanishen & Caerphilly ‘B’

Having ended the first half of the league season with back-to-back 2-2 draws, Penarth’s 2nd XI went into the first game of part two hoping to confirm their positional superiority over old rivals Llanishen and Caerphilly, while remaining wary of the goalless encounter they had shared back in week three.

With several key players available for the first time in several weeks, Penarth were spoiled for choice when it came to naming their squad, welcoming back goalkeeper Jason Harris, defensive midfielder Richard Bromiley and the vastly experienced Dave Thomas.

The game was preceded by an immaculately observed minutes silence for Penarth hockey and cricket stalwart Peter Hardwick, who passed away shortly before Christmas.

The game began with an unfamiliar line-up taking to the field, as the home side decided to keep its big guns warm on the sideline on what was a blustery day at Barry Sports Centre.

Despite the alterations, Penarth started strongly, taking the game to a young Llanishen and Caerphilly side, with Tom Parkinson, in particular, making inroads towards the visitors’ ‘D’.

As usual, however, it took several missed efforts on goal before the Vale side finally opened the scoring, with Dave Watkins breaking the deadlock shortly before the quarter hour mark.

Following a round of mass substitutions, Penarth took a little time to settle and came under their first real pressure of the game, but weathered the storm to take possession back to the other end of the field, where a series of penalty corners eventually saw Thomas double the lead with a deft shot into the far corner.

Although the visitors’ youth contingent were largely contained by Penarth’s veterans, Llanishen and Caerphilly remained a threat thanks to their own elder statesmen, and gradually eased their way back into the game, firing home a penalty corner of their own to reduce the deficit shortly before the interval.

Knowing that a couple of quick strikes after the break could end the game as a contest, Penarth started strongly, with Graeme Jones and Ian Smith providing options on the flanks.

However, just as had been the case at Hawthorn earlier in the campaign, the two sides negated each other for the entire 35 minutes, producing a third scoreless period of their 2014-15 rivalry.

Penarth resisted some late Llanishen and Caerphilly pressure, thanks in no small part to Harris between the sticks, and emerged with a welcome 2-1 win that cements their seventh position in De Cymru 2.

While the Seconds travel to Whitchurch this weekend, the 1st XI return from a lengthy festive break to host Cardiff & Met ‘C’ at Barry on Saturday, January 17.

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 Seniors between 7-8pm.

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