News
24 March 2009 - With the international season at an end, the players and supporters of Old Penarthians can now look forward to the uninterrupted progress of their own programme within Division 5 South East of the SWALEC national league. Sadly, there are only five such games remaining and it is now unlikely that Alun Haines and his men can make anything other than nominal progress in the pre-season aim of achieving a position in the top half of the 11 team division.
Currently in 7th place with a total of 28 points from the 15 games played, the Old Boys appear to have both Cowbridge (31 points) and St. Albans (33) within their sights, especially as both of these sides, amongst the list of opponents still remaining, were beaten in the earlier clashes on their respective visits to Cwrt-y-vil. However, the fact that two Clubs have played only 13 fixtures means that each has the crucial advantage of two games in hand over Penarthians.
Making matters worse for the side is the knowledge that 8th placed Hirwaun are just 4 points behind the Cwrt-y-vil Club and, whilst a backlog of 4 fixtures – they have played only 11 to date – could be a strain on their resources during the limited time remaining, it seems highly likely that they will leapfrog Penarthians and lay claim to a final position that should, at the very least, not be lower than 7th.
Certainly, this is a situation that sees the Old Boys counting the cost of the two sub standard performances that were produced when they were well beaten by Hirwaun in the matches both home and away. Making matters worse is the knowledge that the side really should have won September’s game at home to Deri whilst there is little doubt that the players will continue to have nightmares as they remember the disastrous 10 points to 7 defeat at the hands of Penygraig.
There is, however, no point in crying over spilt milk and the players will be seeking to return to winning ways when action is resumed this weekend. Canton are the visitors to Cwrt-y-vil in a match that is due to kick off at the usual time of 2.30. The Cardiff side is currently without a win as their players struggle through an especially bad patch. Nevertheless, Penarthians will need to be on their guard against complacency especially in view of their own propensity for producing sub standard performances against opponents in the lower regions.
Earlier outings have twice seen the Old Boys visit the Lawrenny Avenue headquarters of opponents Canton, the first of these being a comfortable 43 points to nil victory in a league match. January’s SWALEC Bowl contest was, however, a different affair with Penarthians unable to break down a stubborn defence throughout the opening session before a second half resurgence produced the 20-0 success. One player likely to be looking forward to the contest is centre Tim Naylor. Penarthians leading try scorer has already crossed the Canton line on 5 occasions this term and will be anxious to see if he can break a recently lean spell when he returns to the line-up on Saturday.
Saturday is the penultimate home fixture of the season for the Old Boys. Cilfynydd will be the last of such visitors when they visit the St. Marks Road venue on the 18th of April. Penarthians other fixtures are all away with visits to Penygraig, St. Albans, and Cowbridge each scheduled in the weeks ahead.
The only other fixture on the Club’s programme this weekend sees the Seconds travel to Pontyclun for a friendly fixture that is also timed to kick off at 2.30. This promises to be a stern test for an Old Boys side that was beaten by 22 points to 7 when the sides met at Cwrt-y-vil early in January.