Match Report

It was a far cry from a classic encounter. The scoreline gives more than a clue to that situation and there were those present who suggested that the game could well qualify for inclusion in the list of the top ten worst games ever seen at Cwrt-y-vil! But it was a win and points are precious to Old Penarthians at this stage of the season as they seek to achieve a position of respectability within Division 5 of the SWALEC National League Division 5 South East.

Although the snows had disappeared, the rapid thaw had left a soft surface but conditions were otherwise ideal for a contest of running rugby. But the Old Boys had serious selection problems. Paul Langley, Stuart Gunnarsson, Tony Kemp and Stuart Clarke were amongst a clutch of first choice forwards suffering injuries that are likely to keep them out of action for varying periods whilst Dean Pratt chose to announce his unavailability barely 50 minutes from kick off time. Such was the decimation of the playing strength that, just 48 hours prior to the game, Club Officials were struggling to find 19 names for inclusion in the match day programme.

Fortunately, veteran prop Peter Harry agreed to step up from normal second team duty, Mark Smart slotted in as hooker on permit from Dinas Powys, whilst utility back Danny Godfrey sportingly volunteered his services as a completely makeshift lock forward alongside the experienced Alun Haines. The changes behind the scrum were less dramatic; Gareth D. Jones returning at scrum half for the first time since early December and following eye surgery whilst Tom Draper took over at outside half with Skipper Scott McCarthy moving to full back as Simon Davies slotted in on the right wing.

To be fair the makeshift home pack took charge of the initial proceedings and forced the visitors back into the 25 where they were forced to defend vigorously although that task was made the easier by the slowness of delivery that was available to the Penarthian backs. Nevertheless, the pressure was maintained for fully 20 minutes without any real sign of a score before a loose kick from Richie Moir allowed Cefn Coed the chance to counter. In a trice, their left wing raced clear in pursuit of the hack on and was on the point of touching down when centre Tim Naylor appeared from nowhere to kick the ball dead, Referee Jeff Allen unhesitatingly awarding a 25 drop out even though there were those, including Naylor himself, who felt that a try had been scored.

That was actually the last action of note during the first half and spectators contented themselves by charting the progress of a flock of seagulls who were threatening to take over one end of the pitch. Nevertheless, Cefn Coed did have one chance of taking the lead but the penalty attempt from the 25 and half way out on the left was well wide of the target.

The second half began with the visitors adopting a much more positive and determined approach and, boosted by the enthusiastic support of their touchline followers, took the game to their opponents who were penned down in sight of their try line. An excellent tackle from James Evans put an end to one dangerous probe whilst the Cefn flanker then wasted a golden opportunity when he dropped the ball with the line at his mercy. But the pressure could not be relieved and a driving maul to the corner produced the almost inevitable breakthrough with number 8 Ethan Thomas securing the touchdown that was not converted.

This set back seemed to spur Penarthians and good work from James Evans and Tom Draper created a position just outside the 25. A penalty kick followed and Scott McCarthy kicked the goal that reduced the deficit to just two points. Eight minutes later, Tim Naylor and Steve Mohring combined well before a Gareth Jones kick took play to just outside the Cefn Coed 25. Referee Allen penalised the Merthyr side at the ensuing scrummage and Skipper McCarthy kept his nerve as he slotted the goal that edged his side in front.

The visitors countered once again but a superbly judged trademark tackle from David Mason soon put an end to any possible danger. Even so, there was a further problem soon after when Alun Haines failed to control the ball from an abortive penalty attempt, his knock on conceding a scrum on the 25. Fortunately, that danger was eventually cleared and a Lee Brennan charge afforded Gareth Jones the chance to kick well downfield. Jones, too, was in the final action when he chased the ball after the late break out, only just being beaten to the touchdown at the corner.

Whilst this was not one of the Penarthians better performances, it was a gutsy display in the light of the selection problems and there was justified satisfaction at securing the match points at the expense of one of their close rivals in terms of league position. Peter Harry produced a stoic performance in the front row with Lee Brennan and Mark Smart and even enjoyed his spell at lock when Danny Godfrey was given second half relief from the face massage that is the stock in trade of regular incumbents of the powerhouse. Alun Haines was forced to fight a loan battle at the linesout but was well capable of holding his own whilst David Mason’s block busting tackles earned him the Man of the Match award. With Scott Hill top tackler and James Evans always in the thick of things, the home back row acquitted themselves well.

Sadly, matters were not so smooth behind the scrum where Gareth Jones was clearly suffering the effects of his two months absence from the game. This affected his partnership with Tom Draper to such an extent that the potential of centres Tim Naylor and Steve Mohring was rarely given full rein and the pace of wingers Simon Davies and Richie Moir was kept mainly under wraps. Skipper Scott McCarthy, too, was not under pressure at full back, thus ensuring that he was able to maintain the place kicking composure that determined the outcome of the match.

Finally, a word for the substitutes whose attendance enabled the side to overcome the earlier problems of selection. As always, Mark Curtis cheerfully added his weight when he came on in the second half whilst Mark Sadler’s brief appearance was another notch on the route to a Club colours tie. Craig Gore and Rhys Morgan were not used but their very presence was greatly appreciated.