Senghenydd RFC Sirens V Old Penarthians Women
15th October 2023
Match Report – Andy Clifton, Assistant Coach
Old Pens Women were facing up to their toughest match of the season so far, with a tough test lined up at the Welfare Ground against a side who last year were competing in the Championship division above.
The match start was delayed as both sides and the supporters stood for a moments silence to remember all those lost in the October 14th 1913 Senghenydd Colliery disaster.
Old Pens received the Kick off in perfect rugby conditions with a bright blue sky and the only hint of wind was that in Old Pens sails! The first 10 minutes was dominated by Old Pens with the play being contested entirely in the Sirens own half.
A dogged defence by Senghenydd kept Old Pens at bay and a penalty was awarded against us allowing Senghenydd to clear their lines and put us back in to our own 22 and a defensive lineout.
The lineout was won by Senghenydd but in the following phase of play the ball was stolen at the breakdown and Old Pens started their counterattack back up the field. A well worked line break from the centre partnership of Fee Bowen and Luca Laky put Senghenydd on the back foot and with a continuation of solid set piece play at the ruck and slick hands, Old Pens forced their way over for the first try of the match with Jodie Parker touching down 5m in from the touchline on 15 minutes.
Conceding the try put a rocket up Senghenydd who came back with gusto with some good line speed and handling, but the Old Pens defence was solid and organised and kept them at bay until the half time whistle.
Half Time Score: Senghenydd Sirens 0 – 5 Old Penarthians Women
Captain Jess Wallington gave a rousing half time speech which worked its magic. Old Pens regathered the kick off ball from a superb ruck steal and Wallington went over for Old Pens second score in the first minute of the half.
Senghenydd responded with their most cohesive phase of play of the match so far. Old Pens kept them at bay in the middle of the pitch for several phases of play, but some quick hands across the field and a lightning run on the wing for the Senghenydd centre saw them score their first try on 47 minutes. The score was converted leaving Old Pens with a slender 3-point lead.
Conceding the try must have stung as Old Pens took no time at all to retaliate with a score of their own within two minutes. A superb run of play going through eight phases of set play and then on to another great line break by the centres saw Laky in under the posts for her first ty of the day. Try converted by Sarah Davies to make the scoreline 7-17.
Five minutes later saw a prolonged stoppage for a dislocated shoulder for Senghenydd. Re-located on field and player recovering well.
On the restart, Senghenydd responded superbly and forced Old Pens in to touch 5m out from their try line. The lineout throw from the Sirens was stolen by Jess Wallington and popped back to Scrum Half Kim Jones. Old Pens worked the ball across field and gave Full Back Jodie Read the space to make a clearance kick into space in the Senghenydd half. The Sirens returned the kick, only for Old Pens Izzy Wing to manage to gather it off the ground by her fingertips. With the Sirens defence struggling to get back to assist, and with a deft offload Izzy Wing set Fee Bowen to score Old Pens fourth try of the day. Sarah Davies added to the tally with the Conversion. Score 7 - 24
Frustrations from the home side were now visible, with tempers starting to flair their composure was slipping. This was especially evident with Old Pens scrum dominance continuing with Senghenydd picking up a penalty for standing up in the scrum, such was the front row pressure put on by LH Prop Molly Sheehan, and Mother and Daughter pairing, TH Stacey Horne, and Hooker Carly Lloyd.
The next scrum was more of the same, and with quick ball, picked up at the back of the scrum by the No 8, Old Pens debutant Sioned Davies, she smashed through the defensive line and set up a solid ruck, quickly recycled and put through the hands of the half backs, then some serious acceleration from Luca Laky allowed her to loop round the defence and touch down for her second and Old Pens fifth try of the day. Another Successful conversion from Sarah Davies put the hosts 7-31 points down with 15 minutes left to play.
Senghenydd were determined to get another score on the board and through everything they had at Old Pens. The defensive effort was immense, and tackle heights started to raise up with several penalties conceded by Old Pens. With a team Warning in place, the referee decided to reach for his pocket on 75 minutes and a yellow card was presented to the Old Pens full back for a high tackle. Senghenydd could smell an opportunity, but the dogged defence from Old Pens held them out for the remainder of the match.
This result leaves Old Pens with three bonus point wins from three matches this season having scored 175 points and 28 Tries while only conceding 17 points and two tries. Sitting joint second in the table on 15 points with a game in hand over the leaders.
Final Score: Senghenydd Sirens 7 – 31 Old Penarthians Women
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