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Penallta RFC made it a hat-trick of titles in the WRU National Plate as they beat Treorchy 34-10 at the Principality Stadium, on Saturday, April 30, to add to their wins of 2012 and 2017.

Treorchy were unbeaten coming into the game, but were no match in the end for the free-flowing Pitmen who had lost just once this season at Senghenydd way back in September. They will now go in search of a league and cup double when they host Newbridge in a top of the table Division 1 East clash with Newbridge on Saturday.

Penallta took charge right from the start when Will Keep broke clear and ran in the first of four tries. Joe Scrivens add the extras and went on to score 14 points as part of a majestic performance at outside half.

“There has been a lot building for us throughout the season. Especially given what’s happened with COVID, it makes all the hard work worth it in the end,” said Scrivens.

“Moments like these don’t come along very often and we are going to enjoy it. Then we will see what happens in the league against Newbridge next weekend.”

Treorchy worked their socks off from start to finish and tried to gain an advantage by using their strong pack to make headway. It didn’t help their cause that skipper Jordan Lloyd was off colour with his goalkicking and he hit the post with his first attempt with a simple penalty.

After their let-off, Penallta scored again through skipper Rhys Stevens as he raced in for the Pitmen’s second score. The Scrivens conversion made it 14-0 and the pressure was already mounting on Treorchy.

But in characteristic fashion they ground their way back into the contest with a try from hard-working No 8 Calum Handley that once again went unconverted. That gave Treorchy a toe-hold in the game, but on the stroke of half-time Penallta exploded into action again and lock Rhys Spanswick finished off a wonderful move with a try at the posts that Scrivens improved to make it 21-5 at the break.

There was an early let off in the second half for Treorchy when Geraint Capel had a try for Penallta ruled out after he was deemed to have lost control of the ball as he dived to score. Shortly after that, Scrivens kicked a penalty to stretch the lead.

A much-needed Treorchy try soon followed, as Callum Phillips crossed the line for the Zebras. Yet again the extra points went begging, but at least the gap was down to 14 points. Another Scrivens penalty made it an even tougher ask before right wing Ryan Davies put the cherry on the cake with a fourth and final try for the very worthy winners, Penallta.

Scorers: Treorchy: Tries: Callum Hanley, Callum Phillips.
Penallta: Tries: Will Keep, Rhys Stevens, Rhys Spanswick, Ryan Davies; Cons: Joe Scrivens 4; Pens: Joe Scrivens 2