Match Report
Following their period of enforced inactivity, Old Penarthians returned to action at the weekend intent on proving to themselves and their supporters that the excellent form shown in the comprehensive defeat of Cwmcarn United was not just a flash in the pan. In the event, Scott McCarthy and his men not only overcame mid-table visitors Cowbridge but also dismissed the worst weather conditions of the season as they produced a marvellous display of running rugby in winning the game by 44 points to 10.
The six try tally was instrumental in accounting for the first try bonus point of the campaign and hoisted the Old Boys two places in the table as they leap-frogged neighbours Dinas Powys together with Cefn Coed, putting themselves within touching distance of Cilfynydd, St. Albans, and Cowbridge in the battle to force themselves from the nether regions of Division Five South East.
Torrential rain allied to the gale force wind created horrendous conditions for the fixture, so much so, in fact, that Referee Simon Rees of Ebbw Vale was in some doubt as to the wisdom of undertaking the contest. Skippers Scott McCarthy and Steve Birchenough felt otherwise, however, and it was their judgement that proved the wiser as the pitch itself stood up to the game whilst the weather did improve in the latter stages.
Penarthians opened with first use of the gale and playing towards the Clubhouse end. The opportunity to register probably the quickest score seen at Cwrt-y-vil then went begging when McCarthy himself fired wide with the penalty that was conceded immediately following the game’s kick off. Not that the opening score was long delayed for the Skipper made no mistake with the more difficult kick that was awarded just three minutes later.
Excellent driving play from the home forwards followed and, when the ball was released, crisp passing put Richard Moir away on the left, the winger outflanking the cover in his dash for a fine corner try that was not converted. A brief period of Cowbridge pressure followed before excellent play involving Tom Draper and Simon Davies put Tim Naylor in possession, the centre’s chip to the corner sadly carrying just too much weight. The hosts were now rampant in their approach with only a forward pass denying Simon Davies a chance on the right although Tim Naylor’s later drop shot scarce threatened the uprights.
It now became the turn of the forwards to play their part and Tony Kemp revealed a delightful touch with the delivery that unleashed Paul Langley on the rampaging run that took him over at the posts. McCarthy added the extra points. Probably the try of the afternoon came soon afterwards when Naylor, Steve Mohring, and Davies all combined beautifully to put Gareth D. Jones in the space that earned him his first try of the campaign. Scott McCarthy again converted.
Sadly, the sight of so many points lulled the hosts into a lack of concentration and this allowed the visitors to mount a series of attacks at the opposite end where their efforts earned a penalty that saw outside half Ed Lakin open their account with the superbly struck penalty kick into the gale.
Forced to face the elements in the second session, there were concerns that the margin created by the 20-3 score line might not be enough to secure the match for the Old Boys. If those thoughts were in the minds of the players, the action they took could not have been more positive. Two scores in the space of the first four minutes saw the gap almost doubled, knocking the heart out of the Cowbridge side. Stuart Gunnarsson made the early ground for the first score, Gareth Jones then handing on for Tim Naylor to cross half way out, Scott McCarthy showing scant concern for the wind as he landed the excellent conversion.
The next score was almost a comedy of errors. An exchange of kicks ended with a chip into the 25 from Tim Naylor. A Cowbridge defender was under pressure to effect a clearance and he actually did well to fly hack away. To his chagrin, however, the ball flew straight into the midriff of the converging McCarthy, forcing the very breath out of him! Despite almost total deflation, the Penarthian Skipper showed remarkable composure as he contrived to casually cruise the 25 yards that brought him an extraordinary try that, perhaps inevitably, was converted.
Again there was a worrying relaxation on the part of the Old Boys and Cowbridge made the most of the situation as they set up a series of patient phases that did, for the most part, founder in the face of good defensive play. Suddenly, however, a gap did appear and outside half Lakin was through it in an instance, scampering untouched to the line for a try that he also converted.
It was, however, the final contribution from the visitors and the Old Boys set about sealing the game with McCarthy turning the screw with his second penalty goal from some 30 yards but again into the wind. Then it was the turn of the forwards as they made excellent ground before releasing the backs with Gareth Jones putting Tim Naylor in space to show a clean pair of heels to the cover as he raced in unchallenged for a try also converted by the Skipper. Suddenly it seemed that the half century was in sight and, in truth, could well have been achieved with the final move of the match. Scott McCarthy made the initial break, coming clear of the 25, and Tim Naylor broke clean away before a breakdown in communication between the centre and wing Richard Moir saw the ball go to ground within sight of a sensational final score.
This was undoubtedly the best performance of the season so far for the local side as they outplayed their opponents up front and behind. Certainly, Cowbridge possessed a strong and well drilled pack but, on this occasion, they were no match for a home eight in which Man of the Match Paul Langley was outstanding as he displayed his strength in both tight and open play. James Evans’s remarkable versatility showed itself in his powerful performance at flank forward where young Stuart Clarke was always in the thick of the action. The committed 80 minutes supplied by Alun Haines belied that warrior’s advancing years whilst Stuart Gunnarsson marked his return with a solid contribution in the second row. Prop Tony Kemp was the pick of a nevertheless fine front row trio that encompassed the hard working Dean Pratt and Lee Brennan whilst Scott Hill’s late appearance did not weaken the effort in any way.
It may well have been that the strong wind restricted some of the adventurous passing that has cost dear of late but the backs looked an excellent unit. Gareth Jones and Scott McCarthy gelled neatly at half back, Tim Naylor ruled the midfield with fine support from Steve Mohring, Simon Davies and Richard Moir possessed the pace on the wings, and Tom Draper again plundered the open spaces with his adventurous running. Mark Sadler, too, managed a useful contribution in the meagre ten minutes that he was granted at the end.
Sadly, the side is now sidelined until activities resume at the beginning of December, a situation that will surely not please Coach Jeff Norman who could scarce conceal his delight at the progress his charges have made in the two most recent outings.
Completing an enjoyable afternoon for the Club, the Veterans, too, enjoyed a good outing when, despite similarly difficult conditions, they defeated their Wattstown counterparts by 19 points to 5 on Cwrt-y-vil’s second pitch.
There was disappointment that the visitors arrived short of front row expertise so that scrums were passive from the outset but the game was otherwise played in an excellent spirit between well matched sides. Indeed, there were concerns in the Penarthian camp when the sides turned round all square at the interval, the hosts having had first use of both wind and slope.
Fortunately, Mark Glover marked his return to action for the first time since December last with a fine display in a pack that also featured fine work from the” youthful” pairing of Bob Denning and Chris Kitch. Behind the scrum, Nigel Edmunds again beavered well at scrum half whilst Mark Bow used his versatility at both outside half and full back in a failed attempt to achieve harmony between centres John Colderley and Mark Isherwood!