IT may be a new season but it was the same old problems which saw Penarth slip to a 23-18 defeat to Pentyrch on Saturday.

Defensive errors, a troublesome line-out and an inability to convert pressure into points at key moments were the pattern of last years campaign and it would appear that those creases have not yet been ironed out of this new look squad.

But it was not all bad and whilst the Seasiders will be kicking themselves for not coming away with more than their solitary bonus point there were certainly plenty of positives to be taken into the coming weeks.

Penarth started promisingly and had the better of the opening minutes but a couple of unforced handling errors gave possession to the visitors who through a combination of good tactical kicking and an expansive running game ensured that play was contested in the visitors' half for a large proportion of the first half.

Pentrych opened the scoring with a penalty from Tom James after 14 minutes and added try from skipper Tom Marley just three minutes later as the Penarth back line failed to cover a slick handling move from a lineout, with James adding the extras to see the visitors into a 10 point lead.

Penarth then had their best period of the first half with their powerful scrummaging unit lead by the front row of Richard Merrett, Iwan Baker and Alan Doyle giving the Pentyrch pack a torrid time of things and setting up a number of penalties which were kicked to the corner.

The rolling maul, which has been a long term weapon of Penarth, was in good order but foul play lead to it being dragged down and Pentyrch’s No 8 Chris Moss heading to the sin bin for 10 minutes for his troubles. James Docherty converted the penalty to put Penarth on the board.

Still a man down Pentyrch then benefitted from some calamitous Penarth defending to score their second try.

Having pressured the Pentyrch backline into a handling error the ball was sent rolling back along the floor outside the Penarth 22.

Outside-half Alex Moore collected the ball pursued by opposite number Docherty and after skipping past him found a cavernous gap behind which he needed no invitation to waltz through before feeding second row Will Cole who went under the posts to see the visitors' lead extended to 15-3 just before the interval.

Then on the stroke of half-time Penarth showed exactly what they can be capable of.

Three fast phases in the middle of the park saw the ball spread out to Tom Smith who stepped past three defenders before drawing the full back and feeding James Thatcher to score the try, and with Docherty adding the extras Penarth went in 17-10 down at half time.

The opening stages of the second half were a cagey affair with Pentyrch using the slight breeze to set up field position through which they were able to extend their lead to 23-10 through a further two penalties from James and Penarth looked to have run their race.

However a tactical change saw Chris Mortimer switch from back row to inside centre as Morgan Smith was replaced by debutant Jack Hughes who took Mortimer’s place on the flank and Penarth clicked into gear.

The final 25 minutes of the game were all Penarth pressure starting with a fine rolling maul score from the irrepressible Merrett which went unconverted.

Chances came and went for the home side with first Mortimer and then Thatcher going close but coming up tantalisingly short of the try line.

Two lineouts deep inside the Pentyrch 22 came and went but a crooked throw on each occasion saw the opportunity to build a further maul come to nought.

A penalty kick from Thatcher brought Penarth to within one score and in the final throws of the match Penarth’s dominant scrum had a chance from 5 metres out to take the spoils.

The first two attempts were reset as the Pentyrch front row popped up under the pressure exerted from the Seasiders pack but on the third and final occasion the referee adjudged that for the first time in the match that Penarth were using unfair means to take the upper hand and a penalty was awarded to Pentyrch who gratefully thumped the ball into touch to seal the victory.

There were many good signs for Penarth and if Rhys Morgan’s men can tighten up defensively and make the most of the opportunities that they create there is no reason why they can’t be competing at the top of the table come the end of the season.

Saturday sees Penarth travel to Pontcanna Fields to play fellow relegated side Clwb Rygbi Caerdydd who were also on the wrong end of a result as they went down 36-24 at Treharris.

Penarth XV: Richard Merrett, Iwan Baker, Alan Doyle, Mike Clare, Ryan Jones, Chris Mortimer, Rhys Jones, Elliott Smith, Rhys Morgan (c), James Docherty (Owen Rees), James Crothers, Morgan Smith (Jack Hughes), James Thatcher, Spencer Robinson, Tom Smith. Unused subs: Alex Fulton, Liam Richards.