DIVISION ONE EAST

DOWLAIS ..................... 24 PENALLTA ................... 19

IT SEEMS the more formidable sides that Dowlais meet, brings out the best from them, and this was no exception against third-placed Penallta.

Although the signs did not look promising when Penallta raced into a 12-point lead in as many minutes, and it looked ominously like a rerun of Wednesday’s game against Blaenavon.

But the side gathered themselves for a gigantic effort both by the pack and the backs, and with Ceri Morgan having another fantastic game pulling the strings.

The pack drove up field and the ball was worked out to the backs and Kristian Owen crossing to start the fight back, Steve James converting.

Another surge by the pack with brothers Kieran and Andrew Barnet in the thick of it, with half time approaching, saw Dowlais make one last effort and Kristian Owen added his second to make it 12-12 at half-time and all to play for.

With the bit between their teeth Dowlais were now rampant and the visitors had no answer.

Their attacks were blunted by some ferocious tackling, with centers James Quirk and Kristian Owen not allowing any room for the Penallta attacks.

Craig Lynch dominated the lineouts and the backrow of Nick Thomas, Adam Cullen and captain Dan Snape cut down any attacker in their sights.

The front row of Rhodri Martin, Chris Williams and Keiron Barnet were dominant. The free-flowing play of Dowlais was a joy to watch with Tom Griffin, Cameron Trowbridge and the returning James Kelly for his first senior game of the season running the ball back at Penallta at every opportunity.

This is how Penallta normally treats their opponents, but today they had no answer.

Kristian Owen, who was playing like a man possesed, added his third after some slick handling of the three-quarters.

He added his fourth and the try bonus point with a kick and chase up field and showing a fine turn of speed outpaced the last defender for a tremendous man-of-the-match performance, Steve James added the extras.

Injuries took their toll on Dowlais and using all their bench the pace naturally slanked allowing Penallta a late consolation try, but this result will go down has one of the best results for quite some time.

Dowlais end their season with a home game against Risca on Wednesday.