Penallta claim RGC scalp

Penallta's strong defence kept RGC at bay
 

Photos courtesy of Penallta RFC

 

The One East title race took a new twist yesterday afternoon at Penallta as the Pitmen inflicted leaders RGC 1404’s only third defeat of the season with a 16-10 triumph in atrocious conditions.

 The Pitmen had billed the clash as ‘Rourke’s drift, the Alamo and D-Day’ all rolled into one and their pack certainly turned up for the occasion.

Penallta, who have been unbeaten at home since October 2011, were ferocious up front and made their ascendancy at the scrum pay dividends as they led 9-0 at the break thanks to three Andre Soroko penalties.

 

The Pitmen's pack dominated their visitors



 The ‘Gogs’ came out fighting after the interval and closed the hosts' lead thanks to a Rhodri Carlton Jones penalty, but a lovely touchline break from wing Aron Humphries resulted in him popping the ball up for Soroko to cross, with the fly half also adding the extras to give Penallta a 16-3 advantage.

However, in what may prove to be crucial as the title race comes down to the wire, RGC managed to claim a converted try to seal a losing bonus point. Afon Bagshaw rounded off a well-worked backs move as he danced over out-wide, with Mitch McGahan landing a difficult touchline conversion.

 With Ystrad Rhondda in Cup action, RGC’s lead stretched to eight points but second placed Ystrad  have two matches in hand over their rivals, though will also have to face Penallta away.

 At the wrong end of the table, relegation threatened Mountain Ash secured a hard-fought 18-18 draw against Gilfach Goch.

 The Old Firm crossed twice through James Coundrey and Ross Davies, while Matthew Parfit added eight points with the boot. All Gowch’s points came courtesy of Ian Davies, who fired home six penalties.

In the day’s other fixture, Rumney returned to winning ways with a 26-10 home success over Ynysybwl, with Luke Bendon grabbing a brace for the hosts.