PENARTH Hockey Club’s 1st XI returned to familiar surroundings after two away games last weekend, but found little home comfort against the students of Bristol University, while a weakened Seconds side more than met their match against high-flying Llanishen & Caerphilly.

Penarth 3 Bristol University ‘B’ 3

Just three weeks ago, Penarth looked as though they may be involved in a battle to avoid relegation and remain in De Cymru & The Marches 1, but a hat-trick of wins and a draw in the last four games have all but guaranteed survival and taken some of the pressure off their remaining fixtures.

Nevertheless, having moved to fourth in the table, the Vale side obviously remains keen to cement as strong a finishing position as possible and, after leapfrogging Bristol University last weekend, knew that they couldn’t afford to lose to the student side, with whom they drew 3-3 in the reverse fixture before Christmas.

After an end-to-end first encounter, the game started at a surprisingly slow tempo but, with only five minutes gone, Phil Lane intercepted a poor defensive pass and slotted home from the top of the ‘D’ to give Penarth the perfect start.

The home-side was clearly the stronger in the opening passages of play, and really should have extended their lead before Bristol hit back on a rare foray into the Penarth ‘D’ and tied the game with a deflected goal that left goalkeeper Mark Harris with little chance.

Spurred by the setback, Penarth went up a gear and responded by scoring two quick goals before half-time.

Centre back Joseph Wells provided the catalyst, making an excellent run from deep in his own half before combining with Lane and smashing home via a hefty deflection.

With their tails up, Penarth continued to push forward, passing the ball nicely to create a couple of opportunities before Chris McCarthy finally added a third, slapping in a rebound after another nice Penarth build-up.

Two goals to the good at half-time, the Bears appeared to be cruising against a Bristol side that did not seem to be taking the game entirely seriously but, as has been the problem on more than one occasion this year, the home-side started the second period sluggishly, allowing their opponents back into the game.

Penarth continued to control the game, but again failed to put the ball in the back of the net, with both the strikers and midfield guilty of some woeful finishing.

Despite the Vale side’s dominance, the visitors remained a threat and increasingly caught their rivals on the break, leading to a more fraught finale than Penarth’s defence would have wished for.

Despite some excellent last-gasp defending, notably from Gareth Hurman and James Davies, and a handful of very good saves from Harris, the students managed two late goals, one from another wicked deflection, to pull the game level and earn a draw that mirrored the result from the earlier fixture between the two sides.

Penarth will be disappointed to only draw a game they really should have won, but avoiding defeat keeps them fourth in the division with only three games to go, giving them hope of retaining their position and matching last year’s outcome.

Llanishen & Caerphilly ‘A’ 5 Penarth ‘A’ 0

Missing half their regular line-up owing to absences and the need to plug holes in the senior side, Penarth’s 2nd XI was always going to be up against it as they travelled to Hawthorn to face off against a Llanishen & Caerphilly side that has occupied third spot in the table for much of the season.

Buoyed by the return of skipper Nick Pratt and with last weekend’s contentious win over Carew having kept them in fifth place, Penarth were determined to get something out of the game in order to remain at the head of the ‘division with a division’ in De Cymru 2, but were left with a mountain to climb after conceding four first half goals.

With the one-sided score line not reflecting the pattern of play - with Matt Birch performing admirably as stand-in sweeper and Zbig Sobierierierski producing a typically solid display in the heart of the back four – Penarth refused to be bowed and took the game to their opponents after the interval.

Despite enjoying more possession in the second period, Penarth failed to take the few chances that came their way, and eventually conceded a fifth goal that did little to justify goalkeeper Jason Harris’ efforts between the sticks.

Both teams agreed that the 5-0 result did not reflect that match as a whole and, as they had against Cardiff & Met, Penarth came away with an excellent all-round team performance having earned the respect of their rivals.

Results elsewhere contrived to keep Penarth’s league position unchanged but, with six points covering the next four teams, a lot could still change in the remaining three weeks of the season.

This weekend sees the 1st XI once more on their travels, heading to Wotton-under-Edge to take on their table-topping hosts, while the Seconds return home to face an equally arduous assignment against the best of the four Whitchurch sides in their division.

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 6pm and 7pm and Senior between 7pm and 8pm.

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