Match Report
Who would have thought it? Old Penarthians at home for their first fixture of the new decade. Indeed, the first taste of league action for Scott McCarthy and his men since the opening Saturday of December. One could scarce have been handed more formidable opponents than Blackwood Stars, clear leaders of the Divisional Table and unbeaten in all of their 9 league outings this season. Comfortable winners by 32 points to 6 when the sides met in September, the Monmouthshire visitors came to Cwrt-y-vil in a mood of justifiable confidence and on the back of a 27 points to 11 victory against neighbours Dinas Powys just a week ago.
The Old Boys, however, for once showed themselves to be uninhibited by reputation and produced the performance of the season as they shocked the opposition in fighting back from a 10 point deficit in the first half to fully justify their share of the spoils in a match that came within an ace of enabling them to achieve the glory of a shock victory.
Cwrt-y-vil was largely recovered from the recent ravages of the weather and a good crowd was in attendance in surprisingly warm and sunny conditions. The opening exchanges featured some lively forays from the home forwards and the visitors were penned deep in their own 25. The enterprise that had enabled them to rattle up some 43 tries in their earlier games was, however, clearly evidenced after only 8 minutes into the game. The turnover itself seemed innocuous but the speed and accuracy of the subsequent handling and support caught the hosts by surprise and five players took part in the breathtaking movement that swept the length of the field, ending with outside half Rhys Harper touching down for a superb try. The kick failed.
There was scarce time for the hosts to recover their composure than Blackwood were at it again. On this occasion, possession was won at a scrummage close to halfway. Harper again did the damage with a superb solo run but Penarthians had only themselves to blame for the non-existing tackling that allowed the outside half to weave his way through for an excellent touchdown close to the right hand corner. Scrum half Dan Tucker failed to make the conversion on this occasion.
Blackwood were now in command and it was as well that Penarthians began to come to grip with the earlier defensive frailties. Indeed, there was a chance that the hosts could have been overrun until centre Steve Mohring raised the spirits with a fine burst out of defence that was well supported by Paul Langley to take play to the opposite end. The Monmouthshire men then revealed the first signs of disciplinary frailties that were to beset them later when a routine penalty was subject to a further ten yards that allowed Skipper Scott McCarthy to land the penalty goal that took his tally for the season to beyond the century mark.
Sadly the score marked the departure of Stuart Clarke who had suffered a blow to the elbow that prevented him from continuing and he was replaced by Scott Hill. This appeared not to disrupt the Penarthians rhythm for, in the 32nd minute, a scrum close to halfway saw Steve Mohring again make the running with a penetrative burst. Full back Tom Draper was quickly up in support and he exchanged passes with left wing Richard Moir before racing in for an excellent try. McCarthy was on target with the conversion kick.
A second home change was necessary when lock Stuart Gunnarsson was clearly discomfited by the rib injury that forced his departure, David Mason taking over as the side’s second replacement. Now it was Blackwood’s turn to attack but, when centre Gareth Preece appeared to be clear, Tom Draper did remarkably well to cover the ground and put the player into touch. A penalty attempt followed with the ball striking the upright before Scott McCarthy cleared whilst the visitors lost further ground when Referee Neil McDonagh took exception to backchat and gave the hosts the benefit of ten further yards.
Half time came with the scores still level and the Old Boys made an interval change with Danny Godfrey coming on to take over the wing position from Andi Morris. The winger was to be in immediate action when he was involved in the sensational score that marked the resumption of play. Simon Davies started it with a superb break from the base of a scrum. Ever present Tom Draper took up the running and linked with Danny Godfrey who then handed on to Simon Davies who appeared on the inside and raced over to touch down at the posts. Scott McCarthy again added the extra points.
Ten minutes later, the hosts suffered a major blow when David Mason was yellow carded to reduce the numbers to 14 against a Blackwood pack that seemed to relish the situation and began to exert enormous pressure. Penned deep in the 25 at the far end of the ground, Penarthians defended as though their very lives depended upon it but then had the misfortune to lose control of the ball at a lineout allowing prop Kyle Tudge to scramble the touchdown that was well converted from wide out by Dan Tucker. Home woes continued with influential Paul Langley playing on despite having problems with an arm injury and the return of David Mason could not come quickly enough. In the event, that return was marked by a penalty award that saw Blackwood return to the lead when Simon Hughes landed the 35 yard goal.
On the half hour, the Penarthian effort suddenly became galvanised. The Ball was won at a great scrum that saw Steve Mohring apparently clear but recalled for a pass deemed by Mr. McDonagh to be forward. Again visiting indiscipline cost dearly when centre Gareth Preece was sin binned for back chat, Scott McCarthy narrowly failing with the kick at goal from the 10 yard line. The Old Boys now threw all into attack and it was clear that the visitors were clinging on by the skin of their teeth. The 38 th minute saw another penalty to the hosts and Skipper McCarthy showed his mettle as he coolly found the target from 35 yards. With the scores level and play now into the 43 rd minutes of the half, drama appeared in the form of another penalty to Penarthians. The kick would have been at the extreme of the Skipper’s range but success would have brought victory. Sadly a bout of verbal altercation reached the ears of the Referee, Mr. McDonagh ruling that it was unacceptable and reversing the decision allowing Blackwood to clear their lines and survive with a draw.
This was an occasion that saw the Old Boys reveal their true potential with every player contributing to the best of his ability. Lee Brennan and Tony Kemp were rocks in a front row that had been decimated when the sides last met whilst hooker Dean Pratt had his best game for the side with tireless tackling a particular feature. Lock Alun Haines continues to make an enormous contribution whilst there was excellent work from Stuart Gunnarsson, Paul Langley, and Stuart Clarke despite injury to all three. James Evans, Scott Hill, and David Mason all produced fine displays to enable the side to compete successfully in the loose and keep the opposition under control.
Simon Davies was in ebullient mood restored to the inside half berth and Skipper McCarthy kicked well in support whilst making best use of those outside. Man of the Match Steve Mohring was in fine form following his Xmas respite in South Africa and he received excellent support form a fearless Mark Sadler in the centre. Wingers Richard Moir, Andi Morris, and Danny Godfrey all ran well and defended with purpose whilst full back Tom Draper was a constant threat to the opposition with his elusive running as well as providing the safest of hands in defence.
First team joy was, however, tempered by the news from the second pitch that visitors Sully had avenged an early season defeat by the Vets through the deserved margin of a 12-0 victory. Whilst this was not one of the better performances from Rob Crimp’s men, it has to be said that their near neighbours were well up for it and could not be begrudged their success.