Report Llanharan 21 Feb

Read the official match report >>here<<

There was something different about Penallta RFC this Saturday, yes the sun was shining, yes we were welcoming Llanharan to Trinity Fields for the first time & yes, Gazza had his boots on for the warm up but these matters were unimportant. The main difference was that the Penallta RFC supporters could turn up, early, to enjoy a pre-match beverage in their brand new, shiny, pitch-side clubhouse.

There was a certain "buzz" about this game, an unfamiliar air of confidence amongst the die hards who were now getting used to seeing their team lose (often heavily) week in, week out. The teamsheet didn't look too different - more like the old days with Karl Rees returning from holidays and slotting back into his role at fullback and Matthew Tucker starting in the second row. Ever looking forward - the youth team half back pairing of Howie Walsh & Joe Merriman were given a second run out after a promising spell against Llangennech. Latest signing Gavin Ferguson made his second start at centre.

The game started cautiously, Llanharan not taking their opponents lightly (even though they ran out comfortable 28 - nil winners in the reverse fixture) until Ross Pearce slotted the first penalty over for the vistors after 15 minutes. Penallta drew level when Karl Rees put over a long range penalty 7 minutes later.

From Penallta V Llanharan 21 Feb

Llanharan came right back with a well worked try more reminiscent of our earlier encounter - from centre Lee Thorne. The home side seemed unable to settle, and although beginning to show signs of some flair were only able to add another 3 points - courtesy of Karl's kicking boot before the visitors were awarded another try by Aled Llewellyn (much to the chagrin of the home supporters & players who believed the ball was held up) leaving the score line at 6 points to 15. The final 2 minutes of the first half were eventful - Rees kicking another penalty before the Llanharan outside half, James Harris, was sin binned, leading to another yet another successful penalty kick. Half time score Penallta 12 v 15 Llanharan.

The Penallta supporters were then treated to the unfamiliar sight of their players leaving the field for the changing rooms at half time, an ocurrence usually only seen at "posh clubs". Now we don't know what was said at half time but The Pitmen returned to the field with renewed confidence and, notwithstanding a second penalty kick from Pearce, began to play some of the attractive, running rugby that they are famous for. For the next twenty minutes Penallta dominated play, every man giving his all. Shaun Robson & Karl Rees combining to run from deep,

From Penallta V Llanharan 21 Feb

Howie & Geraint working well from the base of a retreating scrum

From Penallta V Llanharan 21 Feb

and the forwards winning good lineout ball.

From Penallta V Llanharan 21 Feb

From recycled possession the ball was swung out to young Merriman out on the right wing who played a flat crossfield kick (that left supporters on that side initially groaning) until the kick was gathered & Geraint Thomas broke through the line to run in a well deserved try.

From Penallta V Llanharan 21 Feb

Karl converted to put Penallta in the narrowest of leads 19 - 18. Geraint was unlucky not to get his try second 5 minutes later when he was stopped, illegally, a metre short of the try line. The resultant penalty put the home side 4 points up with 15 minutes to go.

The visitors then seemed to wake up & Penallta no longer had the run of play. Some excellent defensive tackling from the Penallta pack restricted Llanharan to just a penalty score and a single point deficit until 5 minutes from time. Continued pressure on the home side eventually told and the visitors ran in their third try on 75 minutes courtesy of some excellent work by Elliott Frewen to send Lee Davis over. Penallta didn't give up & repeatedly threatened from a series of tap penalties well into injury time but the Llanharan defence held firm, finally managing to clear their line & the ball off the pitch for the final whistle. Final score Penallta 22 Llanharan 28 - a losing bonus point.

The gloss was taken off this result somewhat with the news that bottom of the table Newport Saracens had beaten, then top of the table, Newbridge & secured the bonus point that put the Pitmen bottom of Division One. This should not take anything away from the great 20 man performance on the day and will give a welcome boost for the gargantuan task of next week's home game against, now top of the table, Blackwood.

Penallta Scorers
Tries
Geraint Thomas (58 mins)
Conv
Karl Rees
Penalties
Karl Rees (5)

Llanharan Scorers
Tries
Aled Llewellyn, Lee Thorne, Lee Davies (23, 32 & 75 mins)
Conv
Ross Pearce (2)
Penalties
Ross Pearce (3)

Click the photos to see more ....

From Penallta V Llanharan 21 Feb