Porth Harlequins 19 - Dinas Powys 18

THE Villagers of Dinas Powys lost away to unbeaten Porth Quins with a highly debatable last minute penalty.

In a thrilling contest, where the lead changed hands on 10 occasions, the Villagers were very unlucky to lose to the final kick of the game conceding a penalty after the referee had missed a blatant knock on earlier in the passage of play.

An injury ravaged Dinas side, missing five experienced first choice players met the challenge of Porth head on, with the young players filling the boots of those missing players with great aplomb.

The first half saw the Villagers take an early lead through a penalty by fly half Ben White, the home side responded with the only try of the game following a rolling maul which was converted. The Villagers replied immediately as the home side conceded a penalty from the restart and after 10 minutes the home side led by 7-6.

After this initial burst of points there was to be no further scoring in the first half, as the young Dinas pack rose to the challenge and by the end of the half had gained the upper hand against their experienced opponents and were unlucky not to lead at half-time as a further penalty attempt by White struck the upright. Half-time score 7-6.

The visitors regained the lead within two minutes of the restart, and this was to be the pattern of the second half as the lead changed hand on eight occasions.

The magnificent front row of Caleb "Chubs" Robinson, Luke Dyer and Andrew O'Malia were destroying the opposition front row and the home team looked bemused as the baby faced trio, with a combined age of only 64 years, took control of the contest.

Passionate defending by both sides meant no further tries but this was a quality contest between two determined teams. Powerful bursts by flanker Corey Imperatto and centre Sonny Driscoll were stopped by desperate home defenders, as the Dinas side pounded the home try line.

The visiting supporters thought victory had been assured as White converted his sixth penalty of the afternoon with only two minutes of play remaining, however the fates were against them as Porth gained victory with the final kick of the contest.

Coaches John Dunleavy and Luke Gibson will hope that this fine performance will provide the platform to build on for the remainder of the season.

The second XV, affectionately known as the Dingoes, were much depleted due to the demand for players from their ranks by the first team, and committee members Andy Vesey and Craig Driscoll were called into action against the Cardiff Quins. The Dingoes ran out winners by 21-0 away from home with club secretary Craig Driscoll rolling back the years with a man of the match performance.

The Villagers entertain Treherbert on Saturday, November 28 at the Common for what is sure to be another competitive encounter.