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The Penarth Youth team before kick-off. Picture: Meryl Davies

PENARTH YOUTH 5

CRAWSHAY'S WELSH YOUTH XV 19

THE CHILLY weather did not prevent another exciting Good Friday fixture between Penarth Youth and Crawshay's team, featuring six Blues and three Dragons players in their starting line-up.

As a reminder of the quality players Crawshay's field, Grand Slam internationals Mike Phillips and James Hook have both played in this fixture in recent years.

Penarth got away to a tremendous start, a period of sustained pressure ending with centre Gareth Sullivan charging down a clearance kick and winning the ball chase to score a try in the corner.

Crawshay's hit back with an unconverted try, but using the wind advantage and with intelligent kicking from outside-half Huw Morgan, Penarth re-established their first half supremacy and continued to pressurise.

Despite the pressure, an interception try left Penarth undeservedly trailing 12-5 at half time, Matt Halpin unluckily seeing the ball go dead after a kick and chase when he had outrun the Crawshay's defence.

Playing into the wind and rain, Penarth knew the second half would be a "backs to the wall" situation, and Crawshay's scored early with an overlap sending in centre Simon Skinner (Dragons) for a try converted with an excellent kick by outside-half Jonathan Thomas (Whitland), making the score 19-5.

When the game could have run away from them, this young Penarth team showed tremendous resolve to defend the line and get back into the match.

Playing against a huge Crawshay's pack, the forwards battled away with front row Dave Thomas, Lewis Doel and Alex Cox, second row Stuart Clarke and James Beaton, and back row Max Wootton, Matt Sutton and Scott Mackie deserving great credit for their commitment to the Penarth cause.

Action from Penarth Athletic Ground on Good Friday when Penarth Youth played Crawshay's Welsh Youth XV. Picture: Meryl Davies

Even when pushed back by the mighty Crawshay's pack, Penarth showed great skill in controlling the ball, enabling scrum half Alun Harris, who had a fine game, to get the ball away.

Outstanding tackling from Rob Gill, supported in defence by Nick Morgan, and darting runs from Rowan Alcock, all added to the team effort.

Captain Stuart Clarke led by example, and although there were a number of contenders for the man of the match award, it was deservedly won by No 8 Scott Mackie, who put in a tireless display of forward play.

Coaches Leon Patnett and Simon Hurley will be justly proud of this battling team performance, reflecting the hard work put in by the whole of the Penarth Youth squad.

Grateful thanks go to match sponsor A B Snell and Son, and all other sponsors of Penarth Youth this season.

It was reported that Penarth lost their Cardiff and District Cup quarter final after extra time. Cardiff and District state that extra time should not have been played, which should have left Penarth the winners as the away team, each side having scored one try.

However, the organisers say that the result will stand in Llandaff's favour. Lucky Llandaff!

Penarth will travel to Arras on March 28 to renew the long standing relationship with Arras Youth, on a well deserved end of season tour.

8:20am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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