DIVISION TWO EAST CENTRAL

PONTYCLUN ............... 13 PENARTH .................... 34

WITH both sides just hovering above the automatic relegation places, the victors of this encounter could all but guarantee their place in Division Two East Central for next season.

As it panned out, Pontyclun were blown away by an impressive secondhalf performance from their visitors after going into half-time all-square, with the scores locked at 10-10.

Pontyclun started brightly, despite falling behind to a James Crothers penalty which was quickly cancelled out when Nicky Theaker converted one for the Badgers. They then went in front following a superb individual break from near half way by scrum half Theaker. He broke the Penarth defensive line, evaded two would-be tacklers and off-loaded to the supporting Rhys Morgan, who crossed for a try. Theaker added the extras from in front of the posts to take the score to 10-3.

A hotly disputed penalty awarded against Pontyclun for a knock-on, resulted in a scrum for Penarth some 20m from the Pontyclun line. The won ball was controlled superbly at the base of the scrum by Penarth No 8 Eliot Smith and after driving the Pontyclun pack back over their own line, Smith fell on the ball for an easy score. Crothers converted to draw the scores level. Pontyclun had the better of the remainder of the half but spurned several try-scoring opportunities, mainly due to handling errors whilst occupying excellent field position.

Going into half-time there was a confident buzz around the Windsor Field, particularly as the hosts would now enjoy the benefit of the stiff breeze at their backs. Indeed they regained the lead after Rhys Morgan sent a telling kick into touch by the corner near the clubhouse. Pontyclun were awarded a penalty following the line-out and Theaker banged it over from a difficult spot. However that was the end of the good news for the home side as they then capitulated and were completely overrun by the Penarth forwards. Missed tackles, combined with effective mauling and scrummaging from Penarth resulted in four second-half tries, two of which were converted by Eliot Smith.

Despite odd flashes of individual endeavour from Theaker and Morgan, Pontyclun were simply out classed by the Penarth forwards and the visitors thoroughly deserved their victory, eventually gaining a bonuspoint win and safety from any pre-match relegation concerns.

This defeat probably leaves Pontyclun needing one win from their remaining four games to avoid the dreaded drop, but their run-in couldn’t be more difficult. Next week they are away at league leaders Dinas Powys. Third-placed St Peter’s are the visitors on April 8 and a daunting trip to old rivals and second-placed Llantrisant awaits on the 15th.

Perhaps it will all boil down to the final match, away at Abercynon on April 22? Pontyclun however lie a few points above Abercynon, CRC and Old Illtydians and all three of these rivals will need to win at least two games to avoid relegation themselves. It all augers well for an exciting finale to a turbulent season.