Fixture

Match Report Pentyrch v Penygraig on 25th April

Pentyrch kicked off on a sunny but bitterly cold evening after some delay from the referee emerging from the dressing room. Spectators anticipated that the cold windy conditions would make both teams efforts very difficult from the off. Penygraig fielded the ball well and kicked to midfield with Morgan Hayward clearing the ball into touch on the half way. Penygraig won the lineout and ran the ball back into the Pentyrch 22 and were awarded a penalty following some very good defence by Pentyrch. Penygraig won the lineout resulting from the kick to touch and set up a series of rolling mauls only to knock the ball on in front of the posts. Pentyrch won the scrum and used the wind effectively to kick to deep into the Penygraig 22. The conditions were having an effect with cold hands causing Penygraig to knock the ball on again following some good attacking play. The visitors were signalling their intention to play positive Rugby with Pentyrch showing up very well in defence. Pentyrch won the scrum and there followed a series of errors by both sides following searching kicks.

Pentyrch then won the ball back after some broken play and were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch. The resulting lineout was won and following a good run by Nathan Williams the ball was knocked on by Penygraig. Pentyrch won the scrum and were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch on the Penygraig 22. Pentyrch duly won the lineout, ran the ball and following a good break through midfield Thomas Marley scored a good try in the RH corner. The conversion was unsuccessful. Score 5-0 to Pentyrch.

Penygraig kicked the ball out on the full from the KO and following the resulting scrum  Morgan Hayward found touch on the Penygraig 22. Penygraig won the lineout and play went back and fore with both sides attempting to use the wind to advantage. Eventually following a maul Pentyrch moved the ball to the right but missed a good opportunity to strengthen their lead due to poor communication. Penygraig made a good exit from their 22 following the resulting scrum and their kick down field was caught by Nathan Williams who found touch on the Penygraig 22. The play then became a little scrappy with both sides knocking the ball on after regaining possession. Pentyrch were awarded a penalty following another scrum but did not throw the ball in straight at the resulting lineout. Penygraig won the lineout which followed and cleared the ball up to the half way line. Pentyrch were encouraged to run the ball and following a series of rucks and mauls Thomas Marley put in a nice kick to the Penygraig 22 which Morgan Williams gathered and crossed for a try near the posts. The conversion was successfully kicked by Tom James Score 12-0 to Pentyrch.

Pentyrch gathered the kick off. Kicked the ball into the Penygraig 22 and were fortunate to be awarded a lineout as Penygraig touched the kick that followed in flight. Penygraig knocked the ball on at the lineout and from the following scrum Pentyrch pressed hard to increase their lead only to be awarded a penalty which was successfully kicked by Tom James. Score 15-0 to Pentyrch.

Half Time score 15-0 to Pentyrch

Penygraig restarted the game after half time and Pentyrch fielded the ball and kicked to touch near the half way line. Pentyrch won the lineout but following some good running Penygraig won the ball back at a ruck which allowed them to clear the ball into the Pentyrch half. Pentyrch won the resulting lineout and kicked to touch into the Penygraig 22. Good pressure by Pentyrch allowed them to win the lineout but the referee had already blown for the ball not being thrown in straight. Pentyrch won the scrum and again found touch in the Penygraig 22. Pentyrch again won the following lineout but managed to knock the ball on. Penygraig won the scrum and following a series of good runs and rucks made progress into the Pentyrch 22. Penygraig maintained possession and scored a good try through No 8 Rhys Lock converted by outside half Owain Davies. Score 15-7 to Pentyrch.

At the restart it was Pentyrch’s turn to kick the ball out on the full and following the resultant scrum Penygraig ran the ball strongly only to be held up very near to the Pentyrch line. At the scrum Penygraig exerted strong pressure but resolute defence caused them to lose the ball forward and Thomas Marley found a good relieving touch just outside the Pentyrch 22. Tom Beard stole the line out that followed and play flowed into the Penygraig half. After a period of stalemate Penygraig showed their determination and upped their game resulting in more heavy pressure on the Pentyrch line. Penygraig were awarded a penalty and chose to set a scrum which was disrupted by Kierion Williams causing the visiting scrum half to knock the ball on into his hands. Pentyrch retained possession and Tom James put in a mighty relieving kick nearly to the Penygraig 22. Good defence by Pentyrch following the next lineout allowed Pentyrch to win the ball back with the ball being run up the left wing only to be knocked on near the Penygraig line. Penygraig won the scrum and found touch at half way. Pentyrch won the lineout but conceded a penalty for not releasing the ball. There followed a short period of intense pressure on the home side with Penygraig being awarded a number of penalties and scrums. The mounting pressure looked to take its toll but Pentyrch regained possession and found touch on their 22. Penygraig sensing that the game was going their way turned up the heat only to concede a penalty for a silly late tackle when following up a low penetrating kick to the corner. Pentyrch then gained some respite by finding touch at the half way line but knocked the ball on after winning the lineout. Back came Penygraig and after some decisive running outside half Owain Davies stroked over a drop goal. Score 15-10 to Pentyrch.

Pentyrch worked hard to regain possession but after a knock on found themselves under more pressure after winning the scrum with Penygraig gaining another lineout following a penalty. The referee decided that the ball had not been thrown in straight and awarded Pentyrch a scrum which they won cleanly. Thomas Marley put in a very good long clearance kick up to the Penygraig 22. Pentyrch again stole the lineout and ran the ball into the Penygraig 22, retained possession and with the referee looking at his watch were awarded a penalty. Pentyrch found touch inside the Penygraig 22 and after they won the lineout the referee blew for full time with Pentyrch winning a hard fought match.

Final score 15-10 to Pentyrch.  

This coming wednesday the 1st XV are in the Malcolm Thomas Cup semi Final at Llandaff North 6.15pm KO.