THERE was a reversal of fortune for the two Penarth Hockey Club sides in the latest round of matches in the Davis Wood Hockey League, with the 1st XI bouncing back to form.

Penarth 8-3 Cheltenham ‘B’

Penarth’s senior side shrugged off the 11-0 thrashing suffered at the hands of table topping Hereford to take out their frustration on lowly Cheltenham as they visited Barry Sports Centre.

A week ago, an early goal precipitated the Hereford landslide, but this time it was Penarth who got the early goal, as Dave Kidby finished a nice move within the opening five minutes. Within two minutes, the advantage had doubled when Phil Lane smashed home a reverse stick finish following a Richard Baker through ball, and Penarth gradually exerted their control over the game.

The visitor’s chances were few and far between and, although some excellent finishing saw them grab a goal back, Penarth soon restored their two goal lead when Baker netted a rebound following a thunderous drag flick from brother Chris.

However, with scoring appearing easy, Penarth looked complacent at times, and again allowed the visitors to get within touching distance by conceding shortly before the break, but bounced back once more on the interval as Lane grabbed a second following a crafty penalty corner routine.

Despite holding a two goal margin, Penarth looked nervous at the start of the second half and failed to keep possession for any length of time. This allowed Cheltenham to pull one goal back shortly after the restart, and the visitors were unlucky not to level the game as they forced the ball over the line following a goalmouth melee, only for the ‘score’ to be disallowed as the umpire had already awarded them a penalty corner.

Grateful for the reprieve, Penarth gradually found their feet again and started to play some very good hockey. Chris Baker put them 5-3 up with a drag flick and scored a second shortly after to take the tally to six. The score could have been higher but for some woeful finishing, but Penarth eventually bagged another brace with goals from Sam Chick and Kidby to end the match in a comfortable 8-3 win for the Bears.

That keeps them in fifth place overall in De Cymru and The Marches 1.

Penarth ‘A’ 0-1 Gwent ‘B’

A rare Sunday fixture robbed the 2nd XI of key players ahead of the visit of mid-table rival Gwent ‘B’, and the Vale side again failed to come away with points from a game which, on paper, they probably should have won.

A poor display saw Penarth reverted to the long ball game, with little discernible shape to the side. Unable to get their usual passing game together, youngsters Sam Salisbury and Rory Vizard were frustrated going forward and Penarth created very little in the way of a goalmouth threat. Despite a Matt Birch penalty corner going close, the chances that did occur were ably dealt with by the Gwent keeper.

The visitors took advantage of Penarth’s problems by going one goal up late in the first half, with a break from the back leaving Paul Roberts facing two on one. As a result, Richard Bromiley, the team’s fourth goalkeeper in six league games, was left too exposed to prevent the score and the home side went into the interval a goal behind.

Called upon in an emergency, Bromiley had an otherwise solid game, pulling off some fine close range saves to keep the scores close, but Penarth rarely looked like drawing level, despite a late Graeme Jones shot – following a fine through ball from the hard-working Rob Harrison - fizzing narrowly wide. The returning Nathan Townsend also put in a heavy shift in midfield, vainly attempting to provide the beleaguered defence with extra support, but it was to no avail, as Gwent ran out winners by the odd goal.

League games continue this weekend (Saturday, November 1), with the 1st XI Penarth facing an away trip to ninth placed Lansdowne knowing a win will keep them in touch with the promotion places. The 2nd XI, meanwhile, will need to step up their game with a trip to Cwmbran to face Gwent ‘A’ who are among the early season pace setters in De Cymru 2.

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. Training takes place on the artificial turf at Barry Sports Centre every Wednesday, with the juniors in action between 6-7pm and senior between 7-8pm.

Further information can be obtained from club secretary Dave Stevens by emailing d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk.