Anybody who as ever had the pleasure as a player or supporter to visit Abertridwr will know after the first visit what to expect. On their relatively small field, in muddy conditions, and with their partisan crowd behind them, what you get is a good old "Dog Fight".  This is what the Athletic expected and it was exactly what they got!  If games were won on pride, passion, physical aggression and team spirit alone - then Aber would be playing in Welsh rugby's Premier division.

 

The question was could the mixture of Penallta "Old Heads" and "Youth Stars" stand up to the certain onslaught, this was going to be their "Alamo", "Rourkes Drift", and "Dunkirk" all rolled into one?   At the final whistle they had answered the questions, could they? would they? with a big resounding "YES".

 

The game, as  expected, was no classic with two evenly matched sides slugging it out with neither side gaining control, and the ding dong battle was finally settled by way of penalty goals.  Penallta's outside half Gafyn "Dixie" Hughes

From Abertridwr v Penallta Athletic

kicking 6 out of 8 attempts to just pip his opposite number and give his side victory.  Aber however did miss a penalty in the last minute of the game that would have drawn them level and given them a share of the points.  A draw would probably have been a true reflection of the game.

 

For Penallta the back row of Huw Stevens, Rhion Hollister, and young Luke Purnell

From Abertridwr v Penallta Athletic

were effective throughout, and when Stevens left the field he was replaced by Dai Carter who immediately let his presence be felt.  
The youthful Martin Rowe

From Abertridwr v Penallta Athletic

 controlled proceedings from the scrum half position,and the centre partnership of the ageing
Darren Hooper and Sebastian Toms

From Abertridwr v Penallta Athletic

a youth team player making his senior debut were solid in defence and handled everything Aber could throw at them. .....although young Seb found the Royal Hotel's "Yard of Ale" filled with Strongbow a much more difficult opponent.  Hope he didn't wet the bed.

 

Gareth Edwards had a good game on the wing but must learn to use his god given pace to run around the opposition, instead of trying to run through the Aber open side who was twice his size and weight, and twice as ugly as "Eddie" -  a very painful lesson learned.  Nicky Lilwall also made his senior debut but was forced to play out of position on the wing.  Another debutante was youth team prop Ryan Merriman who came on in the last 20 minutes and put in a very solid performance at loose head.  Merriman at 6' 3",  20 stone and still growing is one of a number of talented youngsters at Penallta who will ensure the future success of the club.

 

A big thank you to Abertridwr whose hospitality off the pitch was excellent. There was coffee offered to players and staff of Penallta both before, during and after the game and some good old fashioned rugby banter at the Royal Hotel post match. Good luck for the rest of the season, see you next year!

 

Another league win for the Athletic who are now applying some pressure to Beddau and Caerphilly who are both three points above them in the table. With home games pending against both these sides they could at last mount a serious attack in order to defend and retain their league title.

 

The Keith Jones Semi Final Cup game against Ynysybwl will take place on the 28th February 2009 and should they progress the Athletic would meet Bargoed Warriors in a repeat of last years final. Victory and revenge would be so sweet, and Mike Thomas would get the chance to meet up with all his friends at Bargoed who love him dearly.