PENARTH Hockey Club’s 1st XI returned to winning ways in time for the festive break, taking advantage of Cardiff Medics to get an early taste of the Christmas spirit, while the 2nds were denied their own Davis Wood Hockey League victory in dramatic fashion away at Gwent.

Penarth 6-1 Cardiff Medics

Penarth’s 1st XI welcomed their opponents to Barry Sports Centre knowing that they had already beaten the same opposition in their season-opening encounter.

Despite again being forced into selection changes, the home side started strongly, taking the game to their opponents from the opening push back as the weather gods provided ideal conditions for good hockey. Penarth’s pressure paid quick dividends too, with a patient build-up being completed by a clinical reverse stick strike from Chris Baker.

The lead was doubled within minutes as the Bears pushed forward, allowing defensive midfielder Tom Harran to claim a rare goal shortly before the mid-point of the half. At the other end, goalkeeper Mark Harris – the victim of a barrage of goals in recent weeks – was left with little to do as the Medics failed to exert any pressure on the home defence, allowing the restructured back four more than enough time to clear their lines on the few occasions play broke beyond the midfield.

Buoyed by their dominance, Penarth effectively put the game to bed before the interval, with Phil Lane and Chris McCarthy doubling the tally without reply, leaving the Medics facing a four-goal deficit ahead of the second period.

The visitors, somewhat belatedly, altered their tactics after the break, pushing more men forward to put greater pressure on the home defence, but it was still Penarth that held the upper hand, able to both build through the midfield and hit their opponents on the break. With Gareth Hurman and Tom Parkinson providing useful links through the midfield, further goals always looked likely, and Lane duly obliged with a brace to complete his hat-trick midway through the half.

Perhaps taking their foot off the gas in the final minutes, Penarth’s bid for a clean sheet came unstuck as the Medics claimed a late consolation, but six goals and three points proved welcome early presents as the Vale side heads into the Christmas break sitting eighth in De Cymru & The Marches 1.

Gwent ‘B’ 2-2 Penarth ‘A’

One week from travelling to foot-of-the-table Bridgend, Penarth’s 2nd XI felt a sense of déjà vu as they headed to another away game against a Gwent ‘B’ side that had sunk to the bottom of the pile since the last round of fixtures.

An early start brought its own problems as the Rougemont School pitch remained in the grip of a heavy frost, delaying the pushback by 20 minutes. When the game finally got underway, Penarth began by underlining their stronger league position, but were unable to make the breakthrough and paid the price when Gwent struck on the break, intercepting the ball in midfield before drilling the ball into the bottom left corner of the visitors’ net.

Although Penarth quickly redressed the balance, snatching an equaliser before the break, it was clear that the desired passing game was still AWOL, although this was, in part, due to the still thawing pitch rather than the quality of the opposition.

The Vale side were more dominant in the second half and managed to create several chances either side of Gwent having a goal disallowed. Penarth’s pressure eventually told as a second goal saw them take the lead with 15 minutes left on the clock, but the home side were not to be denied. After a late period of pressure, a defensive error allowed a bobbling ball to reach an unmarked player, whose last-minute tap in salvaged a 2-2 draw.

Although the poor state of the pitch played its part in a predominately scrappy affair, Penarth had good reason to feel frustrated as a much-needed victory went begging as Gwent capitalised on two defensive howlers, leaving the Vale side seventh in the standings.

Although the 1st XI heads into hiatus for a few weeks, league action continues for the Seconds, who go west to Neath for a mid-table clash where victory could see the sides swap places for Christmas.

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 Sport 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 at d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk.