Slick Morriston put Pencoed under pressure:
Pencoed 18 – Morriston 29
This Division Two West Central match was free flowing, with both sides intent on opening up from all quarters of the Recreation ground.
The visitors’ approach was expected, as they are coached by former Welsh International outside half Arwel Thomas – a player who often threw caution to the wind.
Pencoed opened the scoring after seven minutes with a 40-metre penalty goal from Rhys Clarke. The home side then picked up a yellow card before the visitors took the lead. An innocuous looking Morriston throw to the tail of the lineout deep in the home 22 brought about their first try, Ryan Durston the grateful recipient.
Pencoed returned to the attack through Sion Clarke with forceful runs from skipper Dano Howells and Ashley Bissett ending with Bissett extremely unlucky in losing his footing rounding the last defender. Clarke unfortunately had to leave the field shortly afterwards with a shoulder injury. A penalty decision did not go Pencoed’s way and play swept the length of the field, Anton Jones cutting the home defence for Luke Butler to score wide out. Morriston soon increased their lead with a typical scrum half try, Liam Seward breaking blindside to score wide out.
The interval arrived with Pencoed finding themselves 15 – 3 down with little reward on the scoreboard for their efforts. Within minutes of the resumption, livewire Seward broke again to send Ryan Carpenter over, Corey Evans adding the conversion to lead 22 – 3.
This young Pencoed side is proving to be quite resilient, and once again this was the case in a second half which saw them narrowly outscore the visitors against the elements. Pencoed hit back, Sam Hayman selling an audacious dummy and a blistering break saw supporting centre Tom Geere get the touchdown. Then the home side, when attempting to attack from deep in their own territory, were caught out on the intercept, Lee Andrew racing away for Evans to add the conversion.
Once again Pencoed hit back, diminutive scrum half Tom Daniel burrowing over from close range. Pencoed then enjoyed their best period of the match showing impressive ball retention but the visitors were proving difficult to break down. It took a sharp interception from Geere to do this, the player showing sustained pace over 70 metres, pursued all the way by a desperate defence to score wide out.
The closing moments personified the resolve of this young Pencoed side with hooker Zac Taylor getting back to make a try-saving tackle metres from his own line. Pencoed will reflect on a first half where perhaps a little more use of the wind and territorial gains may have produced more points. That said, there are always imponderables in this great game of ours.
- On Saturday, Pencoed make the short journey to Heol y Cyw 2.30pm ko, where no doubt both camps will be looking to earn the local bragging rights!
Match report: TR
Photos by Julie Hancock. https://www.juliehancock.org/
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Pencoed Phoenix 20-19 against Ynysddu
Over the weekend, the Pencoed Phoenix had a narrow win over Ynysddu. Try scorers were Katie Murphy and Jaya White (2). Women of the match were Linzi Morgan and Jaya White .
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