Match Report
Old Penarthians wasted a golden opportunity of boosting their league status when they visited Cefn Coed on Saturday last. Positioned at 10 th in the 12 team division before the visit to their Merthyr based opponents, Scott McCarthy’s men were aware that a repeat of the victory achieved when the sides met at Cwrt y Vil as recently as February would, subject to favourable results elsewhere, enable them to leapfrog a clutch of sides and into 6 th place. Whilst Cowbridge, Cilfynydd, and St. Albans duly played their parts by stumbling to defeat in their outings, the Old Boys paid the penalty for a lack lustre performance that saw them concede a disastrous 14 points in the final five minutes of the game and returned to base empty handed after a 24 points to 10 reverse.
It was a sad end to an afternoon that featured perfect weather conditions for a game played on an immaculate surface. Indeed, for Penarthians first visit to Cefn Coed for a couple of years, the hillside venue was almost unrecognisable, having benefitted from a £200K makeover that has transformed the changing rooms, parking facilities and pitch surrounds as well as the installation of impressive floodlights courtesy of a Heads of the Valleys redevelopment grant.
Injuries meant that both Simon Davies and Richie Moir were forced to vacate the wing positions occupied against Dinas Powys, James Williams and Danny Godfrey deputising. Business commitments accounted for the absence of Stuart Gunnarsson with Mark Smart taking over in the second row for the late arriving Tony Kemp whilst Mark Sadler returned at full back and their was a front row debut for Steve Webber.
Traffic problems resulted in the late arrival of the Old Boys and referee Tony Evans of Aberbeeg kindly agreed to allow a delay to the kick-off time to allow the players to stretch their legs. Indeed, there were signs that some were still on the coach at kick off time for Cefn Coed took control at the outset but wasted a couple of chances through faulty handling when it was clear that the visiting defence was at full stretch. Nevertheless, a 10 th minute break by the outside half split the cover and centre Jason Wilkes seemed certain to score. Miraculously, however, Tim Naylor appeared from behind and somehow dislodged the ball from the player’s grasp as he was about to touch down.
Another score went begging soon after when full back Andrew Sullivan fired wide from a 25-yard penalty but the same player was on target in the 22 nd minute when Penarthians were penalised for an infringement in a ruck. This reverse seemed to pep Penarthians somewhat and James Williams particularly distinguished himself at the head of a maul that gained fully 30 yards on the drive. At the opposite end, another chance was wasted when the home right winger lost control of the ball, again in sight of the line whilst good work from Mark Sadler, Danny Godfrey, and James Evans came to nought when possession was finally kicked away.
In the 37 th minute, Danny Godfrey was unceremoniously upended by the Cefn scrum half prompting immediate intervention by Referee Evans who promptly despatched the player for 10 minutes on the sidelines. It was, however, something of a surprise that the unnecessarily late tackle perpetrated upon Mark Sadler soon afterwards was deemed worth nothing more that the penalty award that brought the half to an end.
An excellent run by Gareth Jones was supported by a Steve Mohring charge to announced Penarthians arrival into the second half but the defence held. A further change saw Rhys Morgan take over from James Williams on the wing before there was a sidestepping run accompanied by a dummy from Alun Haines that had Coach Jeff Norman in ecstasies but was otherwise without reward. The forwards, however, produced a tremendous drive that had the hosts back pedalling on the left before then conceding a penalty made the worse for the extra 10 yards that followed for failing to retire. Scott McCarthy made no mistake with the kick at goal from 25 yards that levelled the scores in the 14 th minute.
Peter Harry then took over from Lee Brennan in the front row but could scarce be blamed for the fact that a scrummage was responsible for the 21 st minute possession that led to centre Jason Wilkes showing a clean pair of heels on the left in the 40 yard run that took him in for the first try of the afternoon. Full Back Andrew Sullivan added the extra points from wide out. Simon Barry for Stuart Clarke was the next change for the Old Boys who did little to further their cause by indulging in a great deal of aimless kicking that wasted possession hard won by the forwards.
In defence, Skipper McCarthy distinguished himself with a couple of strong tackles whilst, at the opposite end, an excellent run from Tim Naylor took play into the home half where Rhys Morgan took up the cudgels in determined fashion. Initially held up, Penarthians regained possession and moved the ball to the right where flanker James Evans was quickly into his stride, sidestepping the last defenders on his was to an excellent touchdown. Scott McCarthy added the extra points with a fine conversion.
The Old Boys then lost prop Steve Webber due to a neck injury and, although he was replaced by Tony Kemp, the absence of a tight head specialist forced a switch to uncontested scrums. Not that this was, in itself, significant, the change did mark a turn of events. The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 38 th minute and Sullivan was wide of the target. Steve Mohring fielded but was caught in several minds, unable to decide whether to minor, open up, or kick to touch. In the event, his clearance went straight downfield where it was caught and utilised in a devastating counter by Cefn Coed. Penarthians failed to control the attack and Tim Phillips made it to the touchdown wide out on the left, Andrew Sullivan adding the conversion points with just two minutes of play remaining on the clock.
There was still a chance that the visitors could counter with a score of their own or even hold out for the losing bonus point that was theirs if the 7 point deficit remained. Instead, yet another aimless kick gifted possession to the now eager home attackers and a sweeping move saw Tim Phillips again over on the left. Desperate defence from Tim Naylor prevented the touchdown from completion but the ball was worked clear to the supporting Jason Wilcox who did complete the score, Andrew Sullivan rubbing salt into the Penarthian wounds with a touchline conversion that extended the winning margin to 24-10.
Whilst this was a disappointing result to a very scrappy game, it has to be said that the Old Boys were well below par on the day and, the James Evans try apart, rarely looked likely to threaten the home defence. This was despite some good ball won up front where Alun Haines, Stuart Clarke, and Paul Langley were in charge of the linesout. Lee Brennan and Steve Webber provided useful set scrum support for Dean Pratt who was also seen to good effect in the loose alongside Mark Smart and James Evans.
Behind the scrum, Gareth Jones tried hard whilst Scott McCarthy kicked his goals well. However, although Tim Naylor shone in both attack and defence and was deservedly named as Man of the Match, the backs lacked both purpose and cohesion with Steve Mohring making little impression with his trade mark charges whilst limited opportunities meant that little was seen of the back three trio of James Williams, Danny Godfrey, and Mark Sadler.