It was a case of what might have been after Penallta Athletic travelled to near neighbours Caerphilly Falcons for this much awaited top of the table clash.  Caerphilly, unbeaten in the league this season, started as favourites against last years league champions. Depleted by injuries and first team call ups which left the Athletic with only an 18 man squad it was obvious from the outset that it was going to be a tough afternoon.  Late call ups saw the return to action of Carl "Donkey" Smythe, Darren Hooper, and Mark "Cookie" Cook.

 

Against the odds it was the Athletic who came out of the blocks with all guns blazing putting the Falcons team under sustained early pressure. The pack lead by the solid front row of Dale Roberts, Craig Morris, and Carl Smythe dominated the much bigger and heavier Caerphilly eight, and in the first two scrums of the game shunted the home pack backwards at an alarming rate of knots. This set the platform for some strong forward drives, one of which resulted in an injury to prop Carl Smythe who had to leave the field after only five minutes. Replaced by Mark Cook Penallta continued to press forward, and the Falcons were forced to concede a number of penalties. Electing to kick for points centre Gafyn Hughes struck the upright with the first, and saw the second sale inches past the same post. Upon 25 minutes a further infringement saw the Caerphilly tight head prop yellow carded and Hughes stepped up to make it third time lucky and Penallta lead 3 - 0.

 

From the kick off Penallta seemed to go to sleep, outside half Richard Rowe cleared the ball from his own 22 which failed to make touch and Caerphilly were able to run the ball back their right wing going over in the corner, to give them a 5 - 3 lead. There were no further scores in the first half with both sides failing to take a number of chances, dropped balls and forward passes preventing any advance on the score.

 

 

Caerphilly began the second half in a much stronger fashion moving the ball about the field and testing the Penallta defence, having 14 players available on the bench they were able to introduce fresh legs into the game to exert even more pressure on the tiring Penallta side.  With no backs replacements on the bench, Mathew Jackson and Darren Hooper defended magnificently even though both were carrying substantial injuries as the game entered the final quarter. Caerphilly's pressure finally told on 60 minutes when they moved the left after a series of forward drives to score their second try which was duly converted to extend their lead to 12 - 3.

 

Most sides at this stage would have probably succumbed under such pressure but not Penallta.  From the kick off they put pressure on their opposition and having re gathered the ball after some excellent work by impressive back row pairing of Scott Horton and Daniel Mead mounted a series of attacks which eventually saw wing Lee Clash score his first try (65mins) in a Penallta jersey having recently signed from Senghennyd.  In fact Clash played well throughout in both attack and defence. With the kick missed the score stood at 12 - 8 with 15 minutes left to play.  Penallta continued their fight back straight from the kick off, some excellent ball retention by the forwards saw the ball spread left with centre Gafyn Hughes feeding Mathew Jackson who broke the first line defence and charged into the Caerphilly 22, with Clash outside him and the line beckoning Jackson due mainly to his injured shoulder threw an uncharacteristic pass which sailed over the Penallta wingers head and into touch. Several minutes later Penallta found them selves 15 metres in front of Caerphilly's posts and awarded a penalty which saw the Caerphilly loose head prop sin binned. Sensing victory was now in their grasp they elected to scrummage having dominated that facet of play all afternoon. With the home side down to 14 men it was a case of now or never.

 

The scrum solid the ball however was not controlled and came shooting out the blind side, collected by excellent scrum half Daniel Barwood going backwards and under pressure he attempted to feed Clash on the wing who failed to take the pass which was quickly kicked 3/4 the length of the field for Caerphilly to score their third and decisive try 17 - 8 (72 mins). Dai Powell entered the game late on after a long lay off with broken ribs, as did young Alex Krysan but there were no further scores and the Falcons were victorious and remain unbeaten at the top of the league.

 

Penallta could consider themselves unlucky to come away with nothing from the game, but to their credit Caerphilly were well drilled, well organised, and excellent in defence throughout the game and having scored 3 tries to 1 just about deserved their win. All round an excellent game of rugby and everyone should look forward to the return game at Penallta in the New Year.

 

With the return of a number of players from long term injury and first team call up's the Athletic will look to strengthen their side and the bench for future league fixtures, with plenty of games to come including Caerphilly at home the league title is far from over and still well within their reach.