Match Report - 3rd Sept. 2011

Old Penarthians 1st XV 3 v Clwb Rygbi Caerdydd 19 (SWALEC League)

The Old Penarthians league campaign got off to a disappointing start at Cwrt-y-vil with a 19-3 defeat to newly-promoted Clwb Rygbi Caerdydd.

In what turned out to be a typical first game of the season in a disjointed performance from the home side, there were far too many errors and a distinct lack of respect for the ball with possession squandered frequently. Mark Sadler’s side was unable to gain any real foothold in the game and suffered from a lack of field position and some poor decision-making on occasions. The team was unable to control the ball for any period of time and was therefore unable to build any sustainable pressure.

For their part Clwb Rygbi, whilst struggling initially at both scrum and linesout, went on to dominate the loose play, proving to be far more lively and efficient than their rather subdued opponents. The Cardiff side also had the best three players on the park on the day in full back Rhydian Garner, scrum half Deian Thomas and back row forward Oliver Smith; the trio ultimately proving to be the difference between the sides.

Indeed it was quick thinking Thomas who opened the scoring for the visitors in the 21st minute. Following an attacking scrum that the Penarthians did well to disrupt, the referee penalised scrum half Mark Bow for hands in the scrum. Thomas took the penalty quickly and was able to scamper over from 10 metres out for an unconverted try.

In a first half that was littered with penalties through both sides’ indiscipline especially at the breakdown, the hosts were unable to capitalise with both outside half Huw Liddell and full-back Scott McCarthy missing shots at goal in tricky, windy conditions.

Following a general warning to both captains about misdemeanours at the ruck where the Old Pens were certainly hampered by their opponent’s illegal slowing of the ball, Clwb Rygbi had their first player yellow carded after 32 minutes with a second consigned to the sin bin 6 minutes into the second half for a similar offence.

5-0 down at half-time and with changes in personnel made with a view to ensuring the Penarthians were more effective in the loose, it looked for a time as if they could at last establish some superiority. However, whilst there was no shortage of commendable defensive work, dropped balls and turnovers at the breakdown prevented the development of any fluent attacking play, although wingers Lloyd Davey and Richie Moir did their best to make inroads with a couple of mazy runs, each of which came to nought.

Mid way through the second half, Clwb Rygbi full back Garner, who had looked threatening throughout, showed the three-quarters a clean pair of heels from some 40 metres out, gratefully accepting the invitation to use his pace when shown the outside to score a try under the posts that he also converted for a 12-0 lead.

The Old Penarthians briefly responded and were rewarded for some improved attacking inter-play in the opposition half with a penalty, which Scott McCarthy converted from 30 metres out to narrow the gap to 12-3 with some 15 minutes remaining.

From the restart the home side attempted to build some pressure with a view to fashioning an unlikely victory, but in a play which served to illustrate the way the afternoon had gone, the ball was lost in contact near the half-way line. Clwb Rygbi made excellent use of the turn-over ball, spreading wide for the supporting flanker Smith to score a converted try in virtually the last play of the game.

The plaudits for Man-of-the-Match went to hard-working second row Stuart Clarke, whilst the team’s top tackler was number 8 Paul Langley.