With the sun shining down on Bargoed Park a large crowd turned out to watch this eagerly awaited local derby between two of the strongest and possibly best 2nd fifteens in Welsh Rugby.  Due to a number of backs not available Penallta were forced to play Hooker / back row player Bobby Evans on the right wing and he turned in a very creditable performance both in attack and defence.

 

It was the Penallta pack however who set the platform for this excellent win. Penallta completely dominated Bargoed in the scrum, with the front row of Dean Davies, Sean Morgan, and the much improving Sion Phenis giving their Bargoed opponents a "Right Going Over", Phenis having an outstanding first half before giving way to rookie prop Dai Powell.  They were complimented by an outstanding back row of Kierion Mahoney at No 8, Rhion Hollister at openside, and hard working Chris Harvey at blindside. It was after a sustained period of forward pressure that Penallta scored their first try after 10 minutes, Mahoney crashing over despite the attention of 3 or 4 Bargoed defenders.

 

A lack of discipline and a lapse in concentration then allowed Bargoed back into the match with a try by their tight head prop. Penallta continued to dominate the first half, but dropped balls and a few strange decisions by the referee limited the only other score to a Gafyn Huhges penalty on the stroke of half time to give Penallta an 8 - 5 interval lead.

 

The second half began as the first one finished with Bargoed on the back foot and Penallta taking control of the game. Hughes kicked a second penalty on 45 minutes, and, after another period of sustained pressure excellent scrum half Gareth Watkins scored the try of the game on 52 minutes.  After a 22 drop out by Bargoed, No 8 Mahoney caught the kick under pressure and fed Watkins who outstripped a number of Bargoed defenders in a 35 metre sprint up the touchline for a super solo try, which was converted by Gafyn Hughes. Bargoed kick a penalty through their outside half Ashley Thomas but never looked like threatening the Penallta try line. There were no further scores as Penallta controlled the remainder of the game.

 

Yougster Daniel Mead had a very good game on the flank after coming on at half time. Ross Morgan was also excellent throughout at outside centre, earning himself the "Man of the Match" vote.  Mahoney, Hollister, and Steve Smith also had very good games and are more than capable of advancement to First Team rugby.  All in all a fantastic team performance and a great result, which will see Bargoed forwards licking their wounds for weeks to come after the mauling they received from the Penallta pack.  This was certainly a more familiar Bargoed seconds than the one that appeared in the Keith Jones Cup final last season!

Tries
Keiron Mahoney (10 mins)
Gareth Watkins (52 mins)

Conversions
Gavin Hughes

Penalties
Gavin Hughes (x2)

From Bargoed v Penallta Athletic

R&EG Results
Saturday 20th September
Bargoed 8 v 18 Penallta
Beddau 26 v 29 Caerphilly
Ynysybwl 35 v 0 Senghenydd
Abercynon 3 v 10 Abertridwr