Match Report - 10th December 2011

Old Penarthians 2nd/Vets XV 19 v Barry 3rds 0(Friendly)

On the adjacent pitch the remaining second XV joined the available veterans and they entertained a Barry side in a game that at one time was under threat due to a mistake by secretary, Tony Crimp who had not booked the pitch correctly.  Fortunately some last minute discussions with Richard Smith from Penarth Youth and the co-operation from Penarth RFC Chairman, Mike Gooding, allowed the Youth XV to play at the Athletic Field and the Old Pens to fulfil their fixture.

The game was played in an excellent spirit and the mixture of young and very old ensured that the home team were the winners by 19 points to nil.  The try scorers were Richard Knyaston, Paul Kemp and Dave Owen.  Two conversions were kicked by Gareth Davies after he had decided that studs in his boots on a slippery pitch were a good idea rather an imitation of Bambi.

Age played an important part and provided probably the best players in Paul Kemp, Noel Etxragary and Neil Margetson.  Although Steve Thomas did very well playing in an alcoholic dream and Richard Kynaston must also have been under the weather because he remembered to pass the ball on most occasions.

There was a cameo appearance for twenty minutes from Jon Howell at full back after turning down a longer spell on the field as a winger.  Another expecting to play 20 minutes was slim lined Gavin Seymour but when he eventually left the pitch at full time he realised that he had been conned again by manager Robert Crimp.  Congratulations also have to be offered to Charles and Louis who stayed the course both on and off the field.

The day also saw the players’ Christmas get together which entailed a small pub crawl around the hostelries of Penarth sporting compulsory Xmas jumpers.  The outright winner, if there had been a prize, would have been Neil Margetson and his home made effort which did everything except whistle.  A big thank you to all the landlords who accepted the additional custom without complaint and apologies to any regulars who had their quiet evening disturbed.