Match Report - 22nd October 2011

Treherbert 1st XV 27 v Old Penarthians RFC 1st XV 11 (SWALEC league)

Last Saturday saw the Old Penarthians 1st XV travel to Treherbert for the first time since the 1962/63 season, when the team achieved a home and away double.  Unfortunately this achievement will not be replicated this season as the visitors did not return to St Marks Road with the match day spoils.  The team did however contribute to a hard fought match and until half time was probably the better side, leading by eight points to seven.  A change of tactics by the home side and the favourable wind conditions did however influence the result in the second half to give a final scoreline of 27 points to 11.

Penarthians started brightly with backs and forwards combining well with forward drives and penetrating breaks by the threequarters.  One such surge into the opposition half resulted in a home team infringement after three minutes and a successful penalty kick from Scott McCarthy.  From the restart the ball was caught by Alun Haines, enjoying his first start with the senior side for the season, and the ball set up.  Drives from Tim Ursell and James Coslett saw Penarthians back into the Treherbert half of the field but a spilled ball saw the pressure released.

From the ensuing period of loose play the ball ended in the hands of hooker Rob Benson just outside his own twenty-two metre line.  Not known for his deftness of foot he did however launch a fifty metre relieving kick deep into opposition territory.  The home defence must have been as surprised as the spectators and they conceded possession back to Penarthians.  The ball was released along the back line leaving winger Huw Williams with a thirty yard run to the try line.  Williams however did not trust his pace on the outside and decided a chip ahead was the best option.  And so it proved, as the ever impressive Gareth Jones swept onto the bouncing ball to score a good ‘team try’.
The conversion was missed but Penarthians continued the good play with two more impressive mid field runs by second row Ursell.  Unfortunately on 26 minutes the Old Pens defence was not as tight as their attack and flank forward Lloyd Batstone was allowed to run forty yards through some poor tackling to score under the posts.  Fly half Lewis Stone added the conversion.

Treherbert then started into the ascendancy and pressure on the Penarthians try line was intense.  The defence however stood strong and the attacks were repelled with Benson again to the fore with Lee Brennan in stealing the ball at a ruck situation.  Further last gasp tackling in open play from Tom Parkinson and Mark Sadler ensued that the team retained their lead at half time. At this stage Treherbert determined that the best policy was to attack through their forwards with their half backs ensuring that the game was played deep within the Penarthians half of the field with probing kicks to the corners.

The pressure did pay off for the home side when a heavily disputed try in the corner was awarded to scrum half Josh Morris, when many of the forwards thought that the foot mark outside the field of play  belonged to the scorer.  The conversion was missed but the Treherbert team were soon back into Penarthian territory and again only last ditch tackling ensured the line was not breached.  One particular tackle by Benson will be remembered by the opposition number five as he was certain he would score only for him to be driven back. The defence could however not hold and after 23 minutes substitute Ivan Griffiths dummied a pass and scored under the posts for Stone to convert.

Despite the makeshift nature of the Penarthian side brought about by the absences of some regular members of the team, the players dug deep and returned to the opposition half with a couple of decisive breaks.  There followed a series of attacks on the opposition try line that resulted in penalties.  Knowing that a try was required to help overhaul the eleven point deficit skipper Sadler called for scrummages, but despite the efforts of the forwards the home team line remained intact.  On 32 minutes another penalty was awarded and the decision to kick for goal was rewarded by McCarthy.

This was however the last of the Penarthians advantage and  a penalty from Stone followed by a try in injury time awarded to Alwyn Pryse despite a tackle from James Williams that forced the ball out of the number eight’s hands gave the home side their victory.
This was a spirited performance from Penarthians but ultimately the numerous changes to the team before kick-off and the absence of players at training meant that fitness levels could not be maintained and with tiredness came lack of concentration with decision making.  That said Gareth Boulton acquitted himself well at tight head prop and with some encouragement could contend for the place on a more permanent basis.

Tom Parkinson, whilst neither the tallest nor heaviest player in the team, proved he had a big heart by committing himself to the tackle at every occasion.  Paul Langley marshalled the troops to the best of his abilities and with Alun Haines took good lineout possession until injuries disrupted the organisation.  The backs never really had chance to show their paces but Tim Naylor and Mark Sadler in the centre were always looking for a chance to attack.  Unfortunately Richie Moir did not have many opportunities from full back before he left the field with an injury, to be replaced by Dave Owen.

It is hoped that with home advantage later in the season Treherbert can be overcome and that at least half of the 1962/63 successes can be achieved.

.

.

.