Penallta progressed to the third round of the Swalec Plate Competition after scoring with the last play of the game to defeat host's Rhydyfelin in a pulsating Cup tie.

The game was no classic but in difficult conditions under foot still produced, 6 good tries, 5 yellow cards, 4 conversions, 3 missed penalties, 2 old linesmen, and 1 damn good referee (Sing it).

The Pitmen scored first after 17 minutes when after some good ball retention and phase play impressive No 8 Rhys Silcox crashed over. Three minutes later Rhydyfelin went ahead scoring a well worked try in the corner and converting from wide out lead 7 - 5.

This set the scene for this ding dong battle with Penallta regaining the lead only for Rhydyfelin to come straight back and score. Andre Soroko put the Pitmen back in front after 23 minutes with a well taken penalty, only to see Rhydyfelin regain it two minutes later with one of thier own (10 - 8). Blane Rogers was sin binned for the infringement and Penallta were down to 14 men.

SOROKO regained the Pitmen lead on 37 minutes with his second penalty, which also saw the homeside reduced to 14 with one going in the Bin. On the stroke of half time Rhydfelin were awarded and duly kicked another Penalty, and at the break lead 13 - 11.

HALF TIME - RHYDYFELIN 13 v PENALLTA 11

Penallta started the second half with renewed vigor and soon had the Host's pinned back in thier 22. After winning a lineout the Penallta pack drove over the Rhydyfelin line from 15 metres out with Greg HAINES getting a well deserved touchdown (45 minutes). SOROKO converted and the Pitmen were back in front 13 - 18. Rhydyfelin had a second player binned amd were down to 13 for short period of time but to thier credit came storming back to score a second try after a powerful forward drive.

Penallta's Johnny WRIGHT was the third Pitman in the bin after he was judged to have made a late tackle.

At 18 - 18 the game was in the balance with neither side being able to break the others resolve. SOROKO kicked his third penalty on 60 minutes and the Pitmen again were in control. This was however short lived and the homeside once again dug deep thier forwards driving deep into the Penallta 22. The Pitmen were defending for all they were worth but when Lee Rowlands was judged to have entered a ruck from the side, the referee awarded a Penalty Try under the posts and subsequently dispatched ROWLANDS to the Bin. The conversion completed Rhydyfelin lead 25 - 21 as the game entered the last 10 minutes.

The Penallta forwards were once again on form, strong in the set piece even when down to 7 for 20 minutes of the game. Captain Kieran MAHONEY, hooker Greg HAINES, and 18 year old loose head LLoyd Bridges were more than a match for the opposition. ROWLANDS and Rhys Clarke dominated thier own lineoutand won several on the opposition throw.

The back row of SILCOX, ROGERS, Ross Morgan worked thier butts off all day in a very physical encounter. When they did make changes BRIDGES was replaced by another 18 year lod prop Thomas Shipp making his Senior Penallta debut. He again gave an excellent account of himself and looked at home at Senior level. Lucas Edwards replaced HAINES a nd was more than an able replacement.

The most important change however was Luke "Nelly" PURNELL who replaced ROWLANDS upon conclusion of his sin bin. PURNELL was like a Tasmanian Devil about the field being strong in both attack and defence. An impact player he was certainly going to have the final say in this game.

With the clock ticking down and time running out Penallta attempted one final assault on the Rhydyfelin line. Awarded several penalties they were forced to run the ball being four points behind a kick was of no use to them. Several drives took the Pitmen into the Rhydyfelin 22 and after some stern defence PURNELL gathered the ball 10 metres out and on a powerful charge carried three Rhyd defenders over the line for his match winning try.

Rhydyfelin protested that he had been held up, but the referee who was well positioned awarded the scoreand with SOROKO converting Penallta were home and dry at 25 - 28. The kick signalled the end of the game and Penallta had secured an hard fought and rare victory at Rhydyfelin.

A good performance from the Pitmen in particular up front and behind Chris Thomas, Johnny WRIGHT, Jo MERRIMAN, Andrew Jenkins, Lee Thomas, and Andre Soroko played thier part. Pick of the bunch was Aron Humphries who every time he had the ball terrorised the Rhydyfelin defence with his balanced running and immense power. No tries for him but a "Man of the Match" performance. Not forgetting Gareth "Eddie" EDWARDS who replaced THOMAS late on, EDWARDS being probably the most improved Penallta player over the past couple of seasons.

Onwards we march in the Cup but next week we travel to in-form Heol-Y-Cyw for what will be another extremely tough encounter, and victory will only be ours if we are 110% committed. Lets end 2011 on an high boys and then hit 2012 with a bang to show everyone what the Pitmen are about.

FRONT UP, RISE UP.