Fixture

A new order as Llanishen move up to second in the league and while not 'The World in Motion' the Lions are certainly creating a few waves (the Moon's gravitational pull as I have explained before - listen up at the back!), playing an expansive game which gained a try bonus point for the fourth game in a row.

A early kick-off, to enable the faithful to watch the Welsh game, brought a settled autumnal day, contrary to the weather forecasts (it was ever thus).

'The Seasiders' received the kick (don't mind if I do) but knocked the ball on, allowing the true faithful to gauge the way the scrums were likely to pan out during the game. Initially it seemed that the scrum had parity, though this was to prove an erroneous observation as the game went on, and a number of half breaks took Llanishen into the Penarth half.

After a quarter of an hour a good catch at the line-out, and a quick movement of the ball, to avoid the sack, gave the pack great momentum. The processional drive to the line was unstoppable and Lee emerged from beneath a sea of bodies to claim the try.

Penarth then stepped up their game and the next ten minutes were evenly fought. Tom made a number of good breaks and the support lines were good but the Penarth defence stood firm.

However, a loose pass in mid-field, allowed Liam to collect the ball and out-sprint the defenders. He drew the full back and popped a soft, well-timed, pass for Ellis to score his first try for the club. The conversion put the team twelve points clear - time to worry!

With ten minutes of the first half to go Penarth were on the offensive and exerting increasing pressure on the Lion's try-line. Stout, at times frantic cover defence, kept the home side out but a sickening class of heads, between Noah and George, brought the game to a halt.

The game restarted with a scrum, which Penarth drove, and the ball was spun wide. A gap emerged and allowed a try to be scored under the posts and the conversion brought Penarth within a score.

The Penarth attacks persisted and after numerous phases the outside half went through a gap to score near to the posts and, with the last kick of the half, the conversion put the home side in front.

A shell-shocked Llanishen team made their way into a huddle. Could they turn it around in the second half? Well yes, I told you that at the start

Half Time: Penarth 14 Llanishen 12

The Llanishen side seemed to come out with renewed vigour and were quickly playing the game in the right areas - bottom left, down the slope.

A superb break by Johnny and good support running by Tom allowed Shaun 'The Shark' to score. The conversion attempt hit the post but proved to be a good sighter for later in the game.

 Shortly after the try Llanishen were back on the attack and a great bust, by Tom, allowed him to pop the ball to George. A softly delivered pass allowed Johnny to score in the corner and the super conversion put clear-water between the sides.

Llanishen's attacks continued and a well struck penalty put them thirteen points ahead.

Back came Penarth, it was that sort of a game, and having gained the ascendancy in the scrum they were keen to exploit this advantage. A scrum fifteen metres out was duly driven over the line and the conversion cut the gap to six!

Time to go back to the other end of the pitch - quite right. A penalty kick on goal was spurned in favour of a kick to touch. The ten metre line-out was well caught and set up for a drive and it looked like the forwards were going to score a second try in this manner.

Good defence, however, held them out only for Harry to break blind and score. Tom, again from a difficult angle, kicked the conversion.

With less than ten minutes left it seemed the game was in the bag. Well the bag must have had a hole in it because for the next five minutes Penarth were on the attack and a second scrum was driven over the Lion's line. The conversion cut the gap to six again with three minutes remaining.

Thankfully, for Llanishen supporters, it was spent in the Penarth twenty two but you can always rely on the boys for a 'Keystone Cop' moment. A penalty was awarded right in front of Penarth's post, surely kick it, go nine points clear and take the points.

No, a quick tap and holding on the floor gave Penarth a penalty and a chance to snatch victory. The resulting attack was snuffed out and he ball kicked to touch to end the game.

Nobody said it was easy watching the boys play!

A fine win against a good Penarth side who will beat a number of sides at the top of the table before the season ends.

It was also good to see a game involving young players, who obviously had come through the Minis and Juniors - it's the only way forward!

Full Time: Penarth 28 Llanishen 34

P.S.

Good to see Noah was okay after the game, you really don't want to knock heads with George!

Five wins on the bounce has been a pleasure to observe and it sets up an interesting weekend, as on Saturday Llanishen (2nd) play Aberdare (1st) at home and the third and fourth teams play each other.

Biggest disappointment of the game - no sausages after the game- after Milo had bigged them up! Sold on the sideline and fondly remembered from last year.