Match Report

Old Penarthians travelled to Cilfynydd on Friday night for the rare experience of a game under floodlights as they resumed activities in Division 5 South East of the SWALEC National League competition. The temperature was hovering close to zero but the absence of any significant breeze meant that playing conditions were ideal for both players and spectators.

Unfortunately, the Old Boys suffered the twin effects of injuries and unavailabilities and a line up that bore a distinctly makeshift look failed to snap into try scoring mode and, in a match that had been targeted as a potential victory, had to settle for a losing bonus point whilst their hosts pocketed the match rewards by virtue of the two touchdowns to nil reflected in the 17-12 score line.

Nevertheless, the Club is grateful for the co-operation that saw neighbours Dinas Powys release Mark Smart on permit, a similar concession coming from St. Peters in their release of Gareth Norman whilst the Penarth Club also helped out in the supply of youngsters Chris Poole and Scott Mackie. A special mention, too, to the generosity of local businessman Mr. Nigel Reynolds in allowing his minibus to be used to transport the side to and from the Pontypridd destination.

The game began well enough from a Penarthian point of view. Short with an early attempt from close to half way, Skipper Scott McCarthy made no mistake with the 35 yard attempt that soon followed and his men then set siege to the Cilfynydd 25 as they dominated proceedings. Steve Mohring and Simon Davies both featured in promising runs whilst a fearsome charge from David Mason succumbed to desperate defence when in sight of the posts. Despite this territorial advantage that saw the hosts on the back foot for fully 20 minutes, Penarthians were unable to breach the determined cover whilst handling errors and wrong choice of options all combined to ensure that there was no further addition to the score.

In contrast, the Cilfynydd account was opened almost as soon as they took play to the opposite end. The 28 th minute scrum afforded possession to the side and outside half Mike Davies made short work of uncommitted tackling to race over for a try that was converted by scrum half Mark Burton. Worse was to follow as the half came to an end, winger Richie Moir being banished to the sin bin when the Referee took seemingly harsh offence to a comment made in the heat of the moment.

Now a man short, Penarthians were unsettled even further at the start of the second half when the hosts opted for passive scrums following injuries to nominated front row personnel, a situation that allowed them to introduce much more mobile replacements. Refereeing decisions, too, appeared stacked against the visitors and the half was barely 5 minutes under way when Mark Burton was given the simplest of points as he kicked a goal from just 15 yards out and in front of the posts.

At the opposite end, Scott McCarthy had the misfortune to see a well struck penalty from distance rebound off the upright although the Skipper did find the target with a later attempt soon after. With prop Rob Benson an early departee due to injury and replaced by Lee Brennan, a further change saw Chris Poole come on for Mark Sadler and the newcomer immediately caused confusion in the defence with a mazy run that was well supported by number 8 James Evans.

Penarthians were now enjoying a territorial advantage that saw them confine the opposition to their own 25 but, despite good work from Simon Davies and Scott Mackie, the breakthrough was not forthcoming until Skipper McCarthy kicked his third successful penalty in the 28 th minute to narrow the deficit to a single point.

Hopes were now high that a concerted effort would be enough to swing the balance. Instead, the initiative moved back to the hosts and a breakaway move led to a scrum close to the 25. The ball having been won, play edged to the Cilfynydd right and centre Liam Jones cut across the cover with a beautiful angle that split the defence completely and paved the way for a well conceived try that was converted by scrum half Burton to put the side 8 points clear.

To their credit, Penarthians worked hard to get back into the game but, even though Danny Godfrey came on in place of Richie Moir as a final throw of the dice, the cutting edge was simply not there and a fourth and final penalty goal from Scott McCarthy was the sole reward for those late efforts.

Although not quite as disappointing as the earlier reverse to Canton, Penarthians would have hoped for a better performance than did materialise on the night with the absence of any real cutting edge a major concern. There was the usual busy performance from scrum half Simon Davies but Skipper Scott McCarthy was unable to release the potential of centres Tim Naylor and Steve Mohring. The second half introduction of Chris Poole did offer some sparks of ingenuity but otherwise it was a quiet night for wingers Gareth Norman and Richie Moir as well as full back Mark Sadler although the fluorescence of Moir’s new custard coloured boots did add some sparkle to the evening!

Up front, Alun Haines set the customary example to his colleagues whilst there was an impressive debut from young flanker Scott Mackie. Mark Smart worked hard in the unaccustomed second row berth with David Mason and James Evans lively back row performers. Sadly, the good work put in by front row forwards Rob Benson, Dean Pratt, and Tony Kemp plus replacement Lee Brennan counted for nought once the hosts had called upon the dreaded uncontested scrum option.