Report Athletic 28 March Rumney

In their first home game since the opening of the new Penallta Club House and changing facilities the Athletic welcomed a very youthful and useful Rumney 2nds to Trinity Fields. After playing Rumney a number of times in Cardiff over the last couple of seasons, it was nice to see them making the journey up the Rhymney Valley to take on the Athletic in their own back yard.

Historically the fixtures between these two sides have been close affairs, always bruising "Up Front" with two sets of backs that relish open running, attacking rugby. For those who turned up to watch this encounter then they would not have been disappointed. Penallta, having a number of players returning from injury and a number of Youth team boys up for selection, were for the first time in many weeks able to select a full squad of players.

From the kick off it was Penallta who applied the pressure early on. The forwards showed good ball retention and the half backs of Andre Soroko and Gafyn Hughes looked to move the Athletic back line at every opportunity, with only some very aggressive Rumney defence preventing an early score for the home side. Rumney themselves looked very handy with ball in hand and as the game settled down they began to threaten the Penallta line. After 18 minutes with a move that started just inside the Penallta half, the Rumney inside centre was able to break a number of tackles and gallop in under the posts for the first try of the game. The conversation successful Rumney lead 7 - 0. A few minutes later they again threatened when a move up the left hand touch line saw their full back kick and chase into the corner, and he was only prevented from scoring their second try by some magnificent covering from Athletic hooker Craig Morris.

Back however came Penallta with young centre Seb Toms in excellent form. Toms was strong in defence and even stronger in attack brushing off would be tacklers as he made a determined effort to get the Athletic back in the game. For a player that can still play youth rugby he shows a maturity beyond his years. On 31 minutes Toms got his just reward when after a kick through and good follow up pressure he scored the opening Athletic try. The conversion missed the score at half time was 7 - 5 to Rumney.

At the start of the second half Penallta were able to collect their own kick off, and there then followed a period of sustained pressure within the Rumney 22. Good driving work and ball retention by the forwards enabled outside half Gafyn Hughes to cross for Penallta's second (45mins), which he duly converted to give them a 12 - 7 lead. With their tails now up Penallta began to control the game, the front row of Mark Palmer, Craig Morris, and Carl Smythe began to dominate the opposition front row, and the back row of No 8 Devin Morgan, and flankers Daniel Mead and Alex Kryzan worked tirelessly.

In the backs centres Toms and Ross Morgan looked a good combination and Darren Hooper was solid at fullback. The two Youth wings Nathan Mahoney and Aaron Matthews looked more than comfortable in senior rugby both having very good games. With twenty minutes to go Penallta made a number of changes with three players returning from long term injuries entering the fray. Youth outside half Bleddyn Corns replaced Hughes who had a fine game, and Nicky Thomas (prop) and Gavin "Ed" Davies added their considerable presence to the pack.

On 70 minutes again after some considerable pressure exerted at the scrum by Penallta, Andre Soroko powered his way over the Rumney line from 10 metres out to extend the score to 17 - 7 in the Athletics favour. With the game now all but one veteran flanker Bryan Corns came on for the Athletic to join his son Bleddyn in their first but probably not their last competitive match together. In fact Mr Corns senior seemed to have a point to prove making several telling forward drives, although he was caught offside at the scrum a few times as he attempted to give the "Old Legs" a better chance of catching the young Rumney outside half. Mr Corns junior at 10 for Penallta also showed what a good prospect he is for the future.

With the final whistle came a very good and very deserved Athletic victory. Rumney seconds provided very talented, and very strong opposition, they themselves chasing a league title and several cup titles within the Cardiff and District Divisions. Finally a mention for the men in the boiler house whose work week in, week out is vitally important to any team, Mike Oliver and Dai Carter both worked tirelessly and were the back bone of an impressive pack performance.

Devin Morgan played and carried well at 8, Meads was everywhere as usual, and even though all the Penallta points were scored by the backs, the Man Of the Match award must go to hooker Craig Morris whose overall performance was outstanding, both in attack and defence, a player who plays from his heart, well done Craig.

April brings the last full month of the season and with a number of league games still to complete, 3 home to Bargoed, Caerphilly, and Beddau; and one away to Ynysybwl there is still everything to play for so keep attending the training sessions and turning out on a Saturday and let's finish the season in style.