Penallta 2nds began their defence of the Rhondda & East Glamorgan Premier Division title with an excellent win over a very young and spirited Ynysybwl 2nds who had been promoted from Division 1 last season. Penallta started the game with a mixture of seasoned veterans and wannabee "young guns", and it proved to be the perfect mix.

 

In the forwards-  the experience of Deano Davies, Mark Palmer, Captain Mike Oliver, and "MAN OF THE MATCH" Rhion Hollister, complimented the likes of James Tucker, Sean Morgan, Chris Harvey, and Keirion Mahoney.  It was the forwards who set the platform, dominating the heavier, but much younger Ynysybwl forwards in the scrum and exerting plenty of pressure at line out, ruck and maul.

 

With Andre Soroko at scrum half, the Penallta back line ran the ball at every oppurtunity, and were soon on the score board with a try for young Gareth Edwards who had a very impressive game on the wing and ran Hollister close for the man of the match award.  Further first half tries were scored by Gavin Hughes and Rhion Hollister, one converted by Andre Soroko and Penallta lead 17 - 0 at half time.

 

In the second half impressive hooker Sean "Bernard" Morgan scored a try followed by Soroko who scored and converted his own.  In between these Ynysybwl, who to their credit never chucked the towel in, scored two good tries of their own.  The first through their No 8 Max Sweeney, and a second by their young inside centre, one of which was converted bringing the score to 29 - 12.   In the last twenty minutes PENALLTA rang the changes, Sean Phenis  and Dai Powell added their substantial bulk to the front row, 19 year old Alex Krisan came into the second row, and had a very solid senior debut, Bobby Evans returned after a long lay off with a broken ard and two old favourites made a comeback - Dai Carter and Micky Williams.   In this period Penallta continued to dominate and scored two further tries through the excellent Rhion Hollister, this gave him a well deserved hat trick, in a performance in which he appeared to have a point to prove. One of the tries being converted by Soroko to make the final score 41 - 12.

 

The Penallta back line, although out scored by the forwards, performed throughout, centres Dan Barwood and Dale Roberts were solid in defence and exciting in attack, and Dafydd Morton (wing) and Andrew Jackson (full back) had their usual solid games.

The coaches are looking for the same commitment next Saturday when the 2nds travel a short distance up the Rhymney Valley to take on arch rivals Bargoed.
© Mike Thomas

Tries
Gareth Edwards
Gavin Hughes
Rhion Hollister (x3)
Sean Morgan
Andre Soroko

Conversions
Andre Soroko (x3)

R&EG Results
Saturday 13th September
Penallta 43 v 12 Ynysybwl
Abertridwr 12 v 19 Bargoed