PENARTH U15s travelled to Dunvant, Swansea to complete the third fixture against their coaches’ home town clubs this season.

Having not played Dunvant previously they were an unknown quantity and it proved to be a pleasing fixture although affected by hurricane force winds and a very soggy surface underfoot.

Both teams were missing a number of players due to injury and school trips so the possible subs for Penarth were coaxed into playing for the home-side for half a game.

Thank goes to Hugh, Tomo, Dan A, Tom J and Liam who acquitted themselves superbly in the opposition kit.

The conditions did not allow for much of a running game, although both teams were willing to attempt to spread the ball whenever possible and Penarth were first to gain a score with a brace of tries by Luc and Josh with Joe converting both after some good approach work by the forwards.

The scrums had to be passive due to unavailable props so each ball went with the head and Gruff and the Dunvant captain tried to get their backlines going with some simple handling moves which broke down at times with poor handling or mistimed kicking.

Niall and Ellis were next to profit with two close range tries after good ball retention by the front five forwards.

Penarth drove well from each lineout, controlled by Niall and Haaris, but opted to run off the back of the maul early at times.

Dunvant also struggled to keep hold of the ball in the wet conditions and opted to kick the ball too often.

Luc and Josh ran back well from any loose kick and after one of Luc's trademark whirlwind runs Haaris gathered from the base of a ruck to pounce and dive over for his first try of the season to give a halftime score of 0 - 24.

The second half was a similar picture with more changes made in the monsoon conditions and large pools of water covering the pitch.

Many tackles turned into sliding competitions with Joe, Ellis and Hugh winning the top three slide-a-thons.

Further tries were recorded by Penarth in the shape of Jack Twinkle after great running out of defence by Liam and two from Tom J who hit the line at speed in the centre position each time, Joe converting two more from three.

Dunvant kept up their keen attitude and spirit to the very end but came away scoreless.

Final score Dunvant 0 - Penarth 48 according to the soggy referee whose pencil and scorecard gave up five minutes into the second half.

Dame of the Game was awarded to Tomo for volunteering to play for the opposition for the whole match combined with his keen tackling and pressure on the Penarth players, especially against Ellis and Hugh.

Thanks go to Dunvant for their welcome and hospitality after the match and for all the support from home and away parents and coaches and they look forward to arranging a fixture next season.

Squad: Geraint, Niall, Alex O, Alex S, Liam, Haaris, Lyle, Ellis, Dan R, Gruff, Joe, Jack, Hugh, Ben, Josh, Luc, Dan A, Tomo and Tom J.