Pencoed’s resilience ensures a superb win

ABERAVON QUINS 26 PENCOED 35

HAVING lost at home in recent weeks to the Quins this was a remarkable result for this young Pencoed side in the circumstances.

They played with 14 men from the 25th minute and only 13 for almost all of the final 12 minutes.

Pencoed took the lead after defending multiple phases in their own 22 before the ball broke for Sion Clarke and the young wing showed excellent pace over 75 metres to outrun the desperate home cover to score a fine try.

Pencoed then lost young prop Evan Worgan with a nasty looking knee injury and with a current dearth of prop forwards Pencoed were forced to resort to passive scrums under the new rule.

Quins were enjoying plenty of possession and opened their account, wing Elliot Graham crossing wide out, full-back Scott Roberts adding a fine conversion.

Pencoed were soon to regain the lead, when adventurous play from deep in their own territory through Ryan Russell, Sam Hayman, Ashley Bissett, and Howells took play to within the home 22 and Rhys Clarke put over a penalty.

Pencoed then again struck from their own half, Rhys Clarke beating a number of players before linking with Jones who made further ground before sending supporting back-row forward Taylor over for arguably the try of the match, Clarke adding the conversion for a 15-7 halftime lead.

Pencoed increased their lead from the restart, as Clarke kicked his second penalty and converted Hayman’s long-range try.

Pencoed were now playing with confidence and a long pass from Russell found centre Jones who timed his pass to perfection for Brandon Mullen playing in the unfamiliar position of left wing to squeeze in at the corner flag.

The Quins were far from finished, however, and forced Pencoed to pick up a yellow card and go down to 13 men.

Inevitably the pressure was to tell and Callum Beynon got their second try converted by Roberts.

But Pencoed hit back when Mullen, now playing in his customary position of scrum-half, somehow found himself back on the left wing in receiving the ball before standing up his opposite number to score a cheeky try in the corner.

Despite late home tries from Dylan Maclachlan and Owen Kennerly it was Pencoed who ran out deserved winners.