Match Report

Old Penarthians travelled to Barry’s Reservoir Field on Saturday last seeking to put an end to the marvellous record that had seen their neighbours win all 11 of their previous outings in Division 5 South East of the SWALEC National League. Those hopes were based on the confidence that had seen the Old Boys run their rivals close in the 21 points to 13 score line that emerged from October’s clash at Cwrt-y-vil. Barry, however, were in no mood to suffer fools gladly and they made Scott McCarthy’s men pay dearly for the fragile defence that featured in the 6 tries to one margin that measured the difference between the sides.

Although the morning sunshine had given way to cloudy conditions and a bitterly cold breeze gave very little cheer to the spectators, a dry surface made for running rugby and the hosts gave notice of such intent as early as the 7 th minute. Number 8 Mike George proved too strong for some flimsy opposition as he broke from the base of a scrum and his touchdown near the posts afforded Skipper Chris Cummings the luxury of a comfortable conversion to open up a 7 point gap. Just three minutes later, lively scrum half Peter O’Sullivan put the finishing touches to an excellent bout of passing for the second try that was also converted by Cummings.

Fifteen minutes had passed before the Old Boys paid their first visit to home territory but, despite the wind at his back, the normally reliable Scott McCarthy fired wide with a penalty attempt from just over 30 yards. Worse was to follow soon after when, having slotted another penalty kick to the corner, Penarthians won lineout possession only to fail to secure the ball thereafter. Immediately the hosts pounced and the counter from inside the 25 quickly sped the length of the field where centre David Provis put the finishing touches to a superb score with Cummings again adding the conversion points.

Persisting with a policy that appeared to prefer position to points, Penarthians again kicked to the corner from a favourable penalty award only for James Evans to be held up short of the line as he attempted to borrow over from a short range lineout. Then, on the half hour, Skipper McCarthy saw his huge clearance kick carried on the wind and dead at the opposite end of the ground. The subsequent scrummage brought play back to the visiting 25 where the ball was secured by the Barry pack before number eight Mike George barged his way over for the fourth try and the inevitable Cummings conversion.

The Old Boys did, however, have the final words of the half. A scrummage within the Barry 25 saw outside half Cummings turn from hero into villain when his attempted clearance was charged down at full stretch by flying flanker Scott Hill. Hill himself was in hot pursuit as he chased the ball into the in-goal area but he was not as quick as scrum half Gareth D. Jones who earned the touchdown with Scott McCarthy adding the extra points that narrowed the gap slightly to 28-7 at the break.

Having earlier suffered a knock, James Evans was forced to retire at the interval with Mark Smart taking over in the back row. Although now playing against the wind, the Old Boys showed much greater spirit than had been reflected in their first half efforts and Gareth Jones, Scott McCarthy, and Tim Naylor combined in fine style to put the hosts under early pressure.

Barry, however, continued to play some fine football that featured excellent support work with a choice of angles that kept the Penarthian defence at full stretch. It was, indeed, fortunate that flankers Scott Hill and Sean Leach, both diminutive in stature but not in courage, defended superbly and tackled themselves almost into the ground to such good effect that they were later named as their side’s Men of the match.

They were, however, unable to prevent the next score that came following forward pressure. The Old Boys scrum was fighting a losing battle in the set piece and it came as no surprise when, as Barry went for a pushover try, prop forward James Hollister broke clear to score in the corner, Cummings, at last, failing to convert!

Final Penarthians changes saw Simon Barry take over from Scott Hill whilst Rhys Morgan slotted in at scrum half in place of Gareth Jones. This did not prevent the hosts from producing probably the move of the match with full back Danny Ryan breaching the cover on the right before winger Hardy judged his angle to perfection as he raced to the posts only for a fine score to be disallowed for an earlier infringement. Ryan, nevertheless, was determined not to be denied a moment of glory and he it was who produced the sleight of hand juggling that enabled him to retain possession at the end of a three man move that enabled him to touch down for the 6 th try with Skipper Chris Cummings comfortably adding his fifth conversion.

This was a disappointing performance from a Penarthian side that was well beaten by an opposing outfit that nevertheless gave clear signs as to why they remain unbeaten. Whilst Barry took almost every chance that came their way, the Old Boys wasted too many opportunities through sloppy passing and poor options. Nevertheless, perhaps there is some comfort from the fact the Scott McCarthy’s men did manage one touchdown against opponents who had conceded only six tries in those eleven earlier outings.

Credit, too, is due to veteran Peter Harry who again stepped into the front row in the absence of Tony Kemp and worked well with Dean Pratt and Lee Brennan. Stuart Gunnarsson, although still not 100% fit, made a welcome return to the second row alongside Alun Haines whilst James Evans joined Scott Hill and Sean Leach in a back row that made up in endeavour that which it lacked in size.

Gareth Jones’s try was a reward for a much improved performance from the scrum half but it must be said that the back division suffered in comparison to the efficient and penetrative unit that was in opposition on the day.

Better news in advance of the final push to the season comes from the possibility that Tony Kemp and Paul Langley could have recovered from injury in time for the Penygraig game at the end of the month, a target that has also been set by Simon Davies, missing with a back injury on Saturday.

Also in league action, the Seconds travelled to Melingriffith where they faced a Cardiff H.S.O.B. outfit that appeared to defy the Trades Description Act by virtue of a youthful line-up that was in direct contradiction of the Old Boys tag! Certainly there were signs that the pace applied by the hosts was more than enough for Ian Buckley’s men who were too tired to be puffed at the end of the action.

The hosts were, to be fair, good value for the margin of their 43-22 success but Penarthians have reason to be pleased with their own contribution to an entertaining game. Visiting tries were scored by Steve Thomas, Tom Draper, and “Steve the Winger”, a second half substitute borrowed from the hosts, with Mark Bow adding two conversions and a penalty goal. The Tom Draper touchdown was a spectacular solo effort that drew attention to the need for his individual talents to be returned to the Firsts as soon as possible whilst Mark Bow’s oratory was clearly not to the liking of the Referee and could cost the player a couple of weeks on the sidelines!

Up front, it was agreed that the Mark Curtis, Neil Margetson, Spencer Haus trio just fail to qualify for a place in the top ten of best looking front rows in the Club’s history whilst Skipper Buckley and partner Bob Denning deserve credit for continuing to perform with such enthusiasm at their respective ages. Paul Kemp, meanwhile, continues to set himself up as the next David Martin and there was an enthusiastic performance from James Morris.

Behind the scrum, there was a promising debut from scrum half Andy Cornelius and both David Owen and Steve Thomas worked hard on a pitch that was voted far too big for veteran players!