After the excitement of a close game in the cup last week, Penarth were probably looking forward to some league action before the Six Nations break, but it was not to be. The home fixture against Cambrian Welfare was called off late on Saturday morning.
However, three fixtures in Division 1 East Central did manage to get underway and as a result, the Seasiders remain in first place without lifting a finger. That’s the least remarkable thing about last Saturday’s results, as the whole shape of the division has been blown apart. The difference between first and eighth is a mere eight points.
How has this happened? Well, for starters, St.Albans, who were Penarth’s nearest challengers at the beginning of the year, have lost three games in a row and sunk to seventh place. Abercwnboi, shock winners at the Athletic Field a fortnight ago, won 49-31 at second-placed Llanishen, while Llanharan rose to second, beating Caerphilly 13-10 away at Virginia Park. Even lowly-placed Abercynon joined the party with a 27-7 win against the ‘Buns.
Still, no more league rugby until after the first two Six Nations games, when the Seasiders travel to the Dairy Field to face old rivals Llanharan. Recent history between these two clubs demonstrates an essential closeness to the results, right up to a frantic 29-29 draw at the Athletic Field back in November. There is, though, a sharp contrast between home and away fixtures; while the Dairymen will occasionally register an away win, Penarth never quite manage to get over the line at the Dairy Field. No time like the present.
So, in summary, it’s ‘all change’ in Division 1 East Central as all of the top seven clubs are firmly in the race for promotion, but with few games remaining at the tail end of the season.
WRU Division 1 East Central
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Llanharan v Penarth
Dairy Field, 18 Bridgend Road, Llanharan CF72 9RD
Kick-off 2.30pm
Share