PENARTH Hockey Club's veterans side returned to action to round off a successful three days of club "business" on Saturday, but were denied a creditable draw as old foes Cardiff snatched a winning goal with the last touch of the game.

Penarth Vets 1 - Cardiff Vets 2

The veterans match, which followed the AGM and annual dinner on Thursday and Friday respectively, was the latest in a series of "old timers" fixtures designed to both round out the regular season and kick-start the Vets summer campaign and began in the spirit of a traditional friendly, but quickly showed the competitive nature of both teams.

Cardiff brought a mix of both seasoned veterans and newly qualified younger team members and their combined strength was evident in the opening period, as they bombarded the Penarth goal for a full 20 minutes.

With then home side restricted to hurried clearances in a bid to get a breather, it was no surprise when the visitors opened the scoring courtesy of a cleverly-deflected ball that left goalkeeper Mark Harris with little chance.

Stung by falling behind, but bolstered by the introduction of the returning Richard Bromiley in the heart of defence, Penarth gradually pulled themselves back into the game over the remainder of the half. With Dave Thomas getting more of the ball in midfield, openings were created for both Mark Sawyer and Nick Pratt, while the entire defensive corps remained resilient to ensure that the sides were still split by the solitary goal at the interval.

The second period proved to be a much more even affair, with Penarth able to move the ball more freely, utilising the effervescent Dave Morgan in midfield and half backs Graeme Jones and Rob Harrison to push Cardiff back. There were chances at both ends, with Pratt, in particular, ruing a Cardiff goalkeeper in good form as he saw two efforts well saved, and man-of-the-match Harris keeping the home side in the game on several occasions.

Penarth's increased possession eventually paid off when Craig Llewellyn converted a penalty corner to bring the sides level, and a second set-piece just minutes later only narrowly failed to put the hosts ahead. With Morgan having to leave the game midway through the half, however, the Grizzlies were made to regret not going ahead as Cardiff mounted a late assault on the green goal.

With the game getting both tetchy and overly physical in the final 15 minutes, a draw would probably have been a fitting result, but Cardiff ensured that they would go away with the win as, having failed to convert any one of several penalty corners during the game, they finally found the bottom corner with the final strike of the game.

Not done with keeping his side in the game for the entire 70 minutes, goalkeeper Harris also turned out for the Wales Over-40 side as they took on a Hockey for Heroes select XI at the Welsh Institute of Sport on Sunday, playing his part in a 3-3 draw.

Goalscorers: Craig Llewellyn

Penarth Hockey Club celebrated its most successful season to date with a large turn-out at the annual dinner, held once again at Penarth Athletic Club.

Ably organised by club secretary Dave Stevens, the evening provided an opportunity to mark the league success of the 1st and 2nd XIs, the promising return of the 3rd XI after 10 years' absence and a look to the future with confirmation of the return of a 4th XI in 2016-17.

The renaissance of the club's junior section was marked with the awarding of the Clubman of the Year Award to the coaching quartet of Michelle Meddins, Ben Croxall, James Davies and Graeme Jones, while former youth product Laith El-Khatib walked off with both the leading goalscorer and 1st XI player of the year trophies.

Jamie Davison and Morgan Salisbury picked up the 2nd and 3rd XI player of the year awards respectively, while Sam Salisbury was named as the latest young player of the year. Sarah Pratt and Natasha Llewellyn were also singled out for their individual contributions to the club over the past season

Speeches on the night congratulated the various sides for their accomplishments but warned against complacency ahead of both the 2016-17 season and the forthcoming Cup Finals weekend, where the 1st and 2nd XIs sandwich Penarth Ladies 2nds on Saturday, April 23, in a day of hockey that could bring further glory to the town.

The 1st XI take on Bangor University in the main event of the day at 3pm, following on from the 2nd XIs encounter with Swansea University at 10.30am and the Ladies Trophy final against Cardiff Medics at 12.45pm. The club would welcome as much support as possible at Sophia Gardens. Adult tickets cost £5 on the gate, with under-16s going free.