Huw the hero with last-gasp solo score

Mar 18 2008 by Anthony Woolford, South Wales Echo

OLD Penarthians gained another welcome win, even if it was by a last-gasp try at Pontyclun.

A 40-metre solo touchdown by Huw Williams gave Mark Smart and his men their fifth league success.

A Scott Ashcroft try and a Luke Cole penalty had put Pontyclun ahead, before Tom Draper scored a try for the Old Boys.

But hooker Jonathan White went over for Ponty, then Scott McCarthy raced over and Draper converted for Penarthians.

However, White scored again, then was hero-turned-villain as he was sin-binned for stamping and replacement Chris Roberts landed a penalty from the incident.

It was 18-15, but along came Williams to gather a loose kick in the final minute and secure the win.

Llantwit Fardre defeated Penarth by 9-7 despite a huge wind.

The Seasiders did not have props and passive scrums were played throughout.

Against the wind, Penarth grabbed a try by James Cosslett and Andrew Edwards converted, before Geraint Walsh landed a home penalty.

Then, three minutes from time, Michael Thomas dropped a goal and in the final seconds put over a similar shot to give Llantwit the match.

Cefn Coed turned aside Cardiff HSOB 19-6 with Ryan Sullivan and Alex Brown scoring tries and Jarad Rees (2) and Brown slotting penalties over.

Tylorstown gained a solid 16-11 win over Old Illtydians when Julian Pike fired a penalty hat-trick and converted the lone try by Matthew Owens.

Fairwater defeated St Peter's 18-7 with a brace of tries by Rhys McCarthy and eight points from the boot of Michael Foley while Garndiffaith beat off Pontllanfraith 40-13 with tries by Matthew Billings, Christian Oram, Calvin Cox, Darren Pearce and Simon Palfrey.

Llanishen owed it to former Wales Districts cap Gareth Bailey-Jones, whose late drop shot defeated Newport HSOB 19-18.

The Old Boys scored tries by Mike Burke, Tom Diggle and Mark Bale, plus a Will Edwards penalty.

Great counter-attacking by the students of Uwic saw them emerge victorious over Llanharan by 24-18 in a One East match at the Dairy Field.

Matthew Trowbridge (2) and ex-Wales under-19 cap Matthew McLean scored tries while Tom Hancock booted nine points.