Report Athletic 17 Januaru abercynon

After a lay off of over four weeks both sides were eager to brush off the cob webs and get back to playing some competitive rugby. Penallta in particular needed this game in preparation for their Keith Jones Cup semi final against Ynysybwl 2nd's next week. With a number of players unavailable due to injury and work commitments Penallta were still able to send a squad of 18 players to Abercynon that included a number of surprises.

Penallta's forward pack was probably one of the heaviest they have fielded all season, with a front row of Carl Smythe, Mark Cook, and Dai Powell, Mike Oliver and Mike Williams in the boiler house, and Huw Stevens, Dai Carter, and a some what lightweight Dan Mead making up the back row it was a unit capable of causing considerable damage. In fact when the game got underway it was the forwards that exerted early pressure on the Abercynon eight. During the first couple of scrums they drove the Abercynon pack backwards only to be penalised by the referee for reasons that he only appeared to be aware of.

The game in general reflected in the rustiness and lack of game preparation of both sides, and the some what confusing law interpretations of the referee. However, there were two tries for Penallta, the first by Mark Cook after a powerful forward drive, and the second a real gem from impressive scrum half Daniel Barwood who started the move with a quick tap penalty in his own 22 and finished it after some excellent inter passing between himself, Rhodri Walsh, and Mathew Jackson. Abercynon managed only two penalties in reply but to their credit battled through out and towards the end of the game almost stole it, only to be denied by an excellent tackle by the young and returning Penallta full back Martin Rowe (yes I did say Martin Rowe!).

With only 3 replacements on the bench a number of Penallta players were forced to play out the full 80 minutes of the game carrying knocks or minor injuries and this itself was testament to their commitment and passion for the game and the club. Flanker Chris Harvey was forced to play on the wing and had a fine game.

The biggest cheer of the day from the crowd of 26 1/2 (1/2 being young Nathan Cook) came when an old or should I say very old Penallta favourite and now second team backs coach Leighton "Lusher" John came on for the last 20 minutes. He proceeded to make a number of excellent tackles in defence and it was obvious to anyone watching that the greying, thinning hair, and less muscular, wrinkly, pale white legs, once belonged to a rugby mastermind. The only replacement not used was Barry "The Boot" Phillips who had apparently warmed up the night before with 19 pints of Strongbow and a vindaloo, but a big thank you any way for your time and effort.

There were very good performances from Carl Smythe at prop and Dan Mead at open side who was numero uno in the loose play, and number 8 Huw Stevens whose experience and defensive work around the set piece was significant. The man of the match award however went to scrum half Daniel Barwood who was by far the best player on the field, a class act who could and should figure in the Penallta first team plans.
The final score 10 - 6 to Penallta was just about deserved, and with the return of a number of players next week hopefully a victory at Ynysybwl and a third consecutive appearance in the Keith Jones Cup Final.

Having been runners up the past two years- let's make it third time lucky and not a case of
"Three times the bridesmaid but never the bride".

A good turn out is expected for next weeks training sessions with the emphasis being on structured game, and fitness preparation.

"WITHOUT BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS THERE IS NO VICTORY"