PENARTH Hockey Club's Veterans side put together its most complete tournament performance in years during the recent Welsh Masters competition in Swansea, but were ultimately denied third place in their final game.

Buoyed by their results in warm-up games with local rival Llanishen and Caerphilly and Dutch visitors Alliance, Penarth headed to the national competition in good heart and, with a strengthened squad, determined to build on steadily improving performances in previous Masters events.

With a late withdrawal amongst the competing teams, tournament organisers were forced to rejig the format, ditching a two-pool set-up in favour of a return to the round-robin structure of recent seasons, meaning that each side would have to play four games in a single day. Penarth's task was not made any easier by a schedule that pitted them against the two tournament favourites in their opening encounters, but the Vale side was not to be over-awed.

Swansea provided the opposition in game one but, despite some lop-sided scorelines in recent friendlies, Penarth had generally performed well against the hosts in tournament play, and so it proved once again. Despite putting up some stiff resistance at the back, the Grizzlies fell two goals behind in the opening half, but raised their game after the interval, winning the second period thanks to a goal from Dave Watkins, and looking the better side despite ultimately being unable to snatch a point against the team that would eventually go on to take the title.

If anything, Cardiff looked the team to beat in the opening games, putting up big scores in each of their first two fixtures, and it looked as though Penarth could be added to that list after again conceding two first half goals. A third strike just after the interval could have demoralised the Vale side, but Penarth stuck to their task admirably and, with Watkins again pulling a goal back, had more of the play for much of the half before their eagerness to chase a point allowed two late sucker punches to make the final score an unrepresentative 5-1 to their neighbours from the capital.

Despite striking out in each of their opening games, Penarth knew that they could still take third place in the final standings, with both Llanishen and Gwent and Bridgend having been on the receiving end against the strongest sides.

Determined not to go home empty-handed, Penarth set about the combined Llanishen and Gwent side from the outset, overwhelming the midfield as Mark Robinson, Tyrone Moore and Andy Strong created a wealth of goal scoring opportunities while their defence enjoyed a well-earned quiet game. Strikes from Watkins, Moore, Paul "Freddy" Thomas and captain Nick Pratt ensured that there was no doubt about the result, with goalkeeper Mark Harris finally picking up a first veterans clean sheet between the sticks.

The 4-0 result not only brought Penarth's goal difference close to par, but sent the side into their final game - played back-to-back on a warm Saturday afternoon - knowing that the bronze medal was within reach.

As they had in 2015, Bridgend provided the opposition in the final game, and Penarth's possession and pressure suggested that a repeat of the drubbing administered 12 months ago could be on the cards. However, while the defensive combination of Simon Wilkinson, Richard Bromiley, Craig Llewellyn and Rob Harrison held firm in face of the opposition's sporadic attacks, the forward line proved profligate despite numerous chances to put the game away.

The squandered opportunities - and a real 'Clive Thomas moment' that saw Strong denied a first Penarth goal by the half-time whistle - would ultimately prove costly as Bridgend capitalised on a rare chink in the Grizzlies' armour to scramble a late winner, claiming third overall in the process.

Penarth's veterans schedule next takes the side to Stratford-upon-Avon on July 9 for the now annual meeting with former player Ian "Pug" Powell's current club.

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. When the regular season resumes, training will take place on Wednesdays at Stanwell School, with the juniors on the pitch between 6.15pm and 7.15pm and the seniors between 7.15pm and 8.15pm.

Anyone interested in joining the club at senior or youth level can contact either player-coach Ben Croxall (b_croxall20@yahoo.co.uk) or club secretary Dave Stevens (d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk) for further information.