18th October 2008
Penallta 5 v 30 Bargoed
(Half Time 0 v 18 )
Penallta welcomed Bargoed to the Trinity Fields last Saturday for the eagerly awaited League Division 1 East fixture. Penallta - without several 1st team regulars - called on veteran props Dean Davies and Mark Palmer and a debut was given to flanker Scott Horton with Kieron Mahoney once again drafted into the second row. The pre match fears of the home supporters became evident at the first scrum when the Bargoed pack pushed Penallta backwards and were awarded a penalty kicked by Dan Jones.
Penallta then spent the next 20 minutes in the Bargoed half but failed to cross the try line and strangely chose not to take kickable penalties on two occasions. Dan Jones then kicked a second penalty and Bargoed increased their lead even further with tries from scrum half Mike Roberts and winger Lovell both comong from turnover scrum ball.
Penallta brought on prop Dean Davies for Mark Palmer who was playing out of position at tight head in a bid to shore up the scrum. Penallta's main source of possession was from the lineout where once again Geraint Thomas ruled despite constantly being infringed by the Bargoed jumpers.
Within 5 minutes of the restart, Bargoed scored their third try and a big defeat seemed on the cards. Penallta however rallied and enjoyed greater territorial advantage for the remainder of the game - battling it out in the tight with captain Dale Powell leading by example and aided by big tackling from Huw Stevens. Morgan Allen came on for the injured Kieron Mahoney and looked a great prospect - breaking the Bargoed defence on a couple of occasions. It was fitting that Penallta scored a try by young scrum half Howie Walsh who, despite being on the back foot for much of the game, kept the Bargoed back row busy throughout. Right on full time Penallta knocked the ball forward when a try seemed inevitable and Bargoed counter attacked to score under the posts.
With Beddau due on Saturday Penallta know that further pressure will be put on their scrum and will concentrate on putting things right in training with hopefully a few players being fit for selection.
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| From Penallta v Bargoed 18 Oct |
Scorers
Tries
Howie Walsh
Tries
Howie Walsh
Teamsheet
Backs : James Powell, Shaun Robson, Lee Thomas, Steve Davies, Andrew Jenkins
Richard Rowe, Howie Walsh
Fowards : Geraint Thomas, Huw Stevens, Scott Horton, Gavin Davies, Kieron Mahoney
Mark Palmer, Dale Powell, Robert Channon
Replacements : Steve Richards, Scott Bessant, Morgan Allen, Dean Davies, Nicky Thomas,
Referee Colin Kirkhouse
Richard Rowe, Howie Walsh
Fowards : Geraint Thomas, Huw Stevens, Scott Horton, Gavin Davies, Kieron Mahoney
Mark Palmer, Dale Powell, Robert Channon
Replacements : Steve Richards, Scott Bessant, Morgan Allen, Dean Davies, Nicky Thomas,
Referee Colin Kirkhouse
Bargoed
Tries:
Roberts, Lovell, McCarthy, Humphries
Conversions:
Jones 2
Penalties:
Howells, Jones
