OLD Penarthians Under-13s secured their first win of the season in thrilling style with a last minute victory against Canton RFC on the weekend.

The game saw the evenly matched sides exchange early tries in the first half, with wing Rhys Stout and scrum half Joe Tanner crossing for Old Pens.

Speedy back play from the opposition saw them gain three tries to lead at half-time by a single score.

The second half began badly for Old Pens with the physical Canton side adding a further converted try to their tally, to take to the score to 27 - 14 and despite excellent play from the forwards Old Pens were unable to add to their total during the third quarter of the match. With eight minutes remaining captain Josh Edwards crossed the line from a quickly taken penalty, followed by a try from Elis Cross, but difficult conversions left the score at 27 - 24 as the game neared the final minute.

The final move of the match saw Canton break downfield for what looked like the winning try, but superb last ditch tackling and a turnover on Old Pens’ try line turned the game on its head.

Josh Edwards broke from behind the Old Pens tryline before feeding the ball to Elis Cross who made a lung-bursting dash up the touchline. Having run the length of the pitch he was brought down agonisingly close to the Canton tryline, but fantastic support play from Old Pens saw the ball quickly recycled for Josh Edwards to score in the corner as the referee signalled the end of the game.

Old Pens celebrated this first 15-a-side victory with the award of newly donated training tops to the team, supplied courtesy of Nick Stout Paving. The support of sponsors, coaches and parents is much appreciated by Old Pens and after a testing period of difficult games the side is now looking forward to its next series of fixtures with renewed confidence.