ON A relatively quiet weekend, Penarth Hockey Club was reduced to just one completed game as a member of the 1st XI's opposition suffered a serious injury, causing their match to be abandoned and leaving the Seconds as the only side in GoCrea8 league action.

Penarth 'A' 1 - Llanishen & Caerphilly 'A' 2

With only seven teams in the restructured De Cymru 2 division, Penarth's 2nd XI will become very familiar with the opposition over the course of the season, with Llanishen & Caerphilly the first repeat opponent as the fixture list entered its second round of games.

Despite having despatched the Cardiff side 4-1 in the opening match of what became an unbeaten swing through part one of the campaign, Penarth were not taking anything for granted ahead of the second meeting, and their caution proved well-founded as Llanishen & Caerphilly turned up at Stanwell with a much-strengthened side.

Although able to field a strong line-up of their own, Penarth found themselves on the back foot in the opening period, calling on goalkeeper Adam Putt to keep them in the game with a couple of important saves. Putt was helpless, however, when the visitors finally found a spare man in the 'D' and opened the scoring with a well-worked move.

Stung by falling behind for the first time this season, Penarth gradually took a greater share of possession, but were still vulnerable to Llanishen & Caerphilly breaks, and went further behind in an almost identical situation where a forward was left unattended on the penalty spot.

Penarth had opportunities to pull a goal back, but squandered a series of penalty corners before the break, ending the half 2-0 down and knowing they had a lot of work to do to maintain their unbeaten record in the second 35 minutes.

Bolstered by keeping the opposition at bay for the final part of the opening half, Penarth came out determined to chase the game, and enjoyed greater possession and pressure in the second period. Again, however, composure eluded the home side around the visitors' 'D', with patient build-up through Mark Robinson and James Kidby going to waste.

At the other end, Penarth's defence of Matt Noble, Craig Llewellyn, Nathan Townsend and James Davies diffused Llanishen & Caerphilly's more sporadic attacks, giving their forwards the opportunity to reduce the deficit.

Although Chris McCarthy, Owen Hopkins and Dave Watkins all had chances to pull at least a goal back, it was the effervescent Tom Parkinson who finally gave the home side some hope, popping up in the 'D' to force the ball home. The goal, however, came too late in the day and, as Llanishen & Caerphilly closed ranks at the back, further chances proved few and far between for Penarth.

Defeat drops the Bears to second in the De Cymru 2 standings, but new leaders Swansea University only pulled a point ahead after drawing against lowly Whitchurch and Penarth still hold a game in hand over the students. Victory for Llanishen & Caerphilly, however, ensures that the top three are now separated by just two points heading into the final few games before the Christmas break.

Goalscorer: Tom Parkinson

All three Penarth Hockey Club sides return to action this weekend, with the first and second XIs both on their travels, to face Bristol University and Whitchurch respectively. The third XI, meanwhile, has replaced the league fixture lost to withdrawal of another of the Whitchurch sides by arranging a friendly with Abergavenny at Stanwell School.

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. Training takes place on Wednesdays at Stanwell School, with the juniors on the pitch between 6.15pm and 7.15pm and the seniors between 7.15pm and 8.15pm.

Anyone interested in joining the club at senior or youth level can contact either player-coach Ben Croxall (b_croxall20@yahoo.co.uk) or club secretary Dave Stevens (d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk) for further information.