Match Report

Old Penarthians’s eagerly awaited return to competitive action for the first time since the beginning of March ended in disappointment at the weekend when visitors Penygraig not only completed a season’s double but also heaped the ignominy of a whitewash upon their hosts for the first time this season as they earned themselves an additional bonus point through the four tries reflected in the margin of their 24 points to nil success.

The Rhondda based outfit confirmed themselves as one of the up-and-coming sides in Division 5 South East as they registered their fifth successive bonus point victory and hoisted themselves into third place in the table, albeit that this was achieved at the expense of a Senghenydd side otherwise engaged in earning themselves a semi-final place in the SWALEC Bowl competition in their defeat of Swansea based Birchgrove.

Apart from the late withdrawal of injury smitten Gareth Jones and Stuart Gunnarsson, the Old Boys were largely at full strength although young Rhys Morgan was handed his first start at the base of the scrum in direct contrast to veteran Mark Curtis being drafted into the front row with Tony Kemp filling the vacancy in the powerhouse. Conditions at Cwrt y vil were good although a fresh breeze had a noticeable effect on those spectators who had been fooled by the sight of sunshine overhead.

The early exchanges saw play switch from end to end although Skipper Scott McCarthy distinguished himself with the tackle that put an end to a threatening drive from the Penygraig forwards. Nevertheless, the pressure was maintained by the lively visitors who were injecting considerable pace into their attacks. Then, in the 15 th minute, they were rewarded with the opening score, hooker Alex Williams weaving his way over at the corner for a well taken try. Full back Derwyn Nicholas was unlucky to see the conversion attempt strike the upright.

Penarthians continued to share the game territorially but the greater threat always seemed to come from Penygraig whose players were much livelier in broken play and possessing a pace that the hosts found difficult to match. This was epitomised in the charge that was made by Tony Kemp in midfield. Sadly the lock lost possession in contact and play switched immediately to the opposite end where six visitors were in close contact only for a knock on to deny them a seemingly certain score. Soon after, they were denied a score once more when excellent work from Mark Curtis and Paul Langley put an end to the threat that had been posed from a lineout in the corner

Fortunately, as the half neared its end, the Old Boys came more into the game and Richie Moir made good ground on the left only for the move to fail through the lack of additional support. Nevertheless, there was little opportunity for the visitors to capitalise and the interval came with no addition to the 5 point margin.

The second half began with Mark Smart replacing Scott Hill but home discipline was lacking in a failure to retire from a penalty award but the simpler kick was still too much for full back Nicholas and Penarthians were able to breath a sigh of relief. Sadly, that situation was only temporary for, in only the sixth minute, Penygraig struck again. The broken play took place outside the 25 but scrum half Jock Parsons was quick to spot his chance and he scampered through a clutch of defender for an opportunist score that, this time, saw Derwyn Nicholas succeed with the conversion kick. The 12 point lead could well have been extended soon after but Nicholas again missed the target from the penalty that had again been made the easier by Penarthians failing to retire quickly enough.

It was now the turn of Penarthians to go on the offensive and Tim Naylor charged down an attempted clearance just outside the 25 and regained possession to feed Steve Mohring on his left. Mark Sadler was next to support but the final pass was beyond the reach of Richie Moir and the attack failed. Then it was the turn of Simon Davies who promised a cracking run that ended when the wing was subjected to a tackle that was deemed high by Referee Chris Tapper. Scott McCarthy, however, was wide of the target with the ensuing penalty.

The miss proved costly to the extent that play then switched to the opposite end and the Old Boys were made to pay for the abysmal defence that allowed Skipper and number 8 Liam Davies to blast his way past a clutch of ineffective tackles on a 40 yard charge before releasing wing James Matthews for the final run in for a touchdown converted by Scott Curnell.

Substitutions now became the order of the day with Matthew Sutton, Simon Barry, and Danny Godfrey taking over from Dean Pratt, Tony Kemp, and Simon Davies. This prompted a great drive from the home forwards but the move was thwarted, albeit illegally and resulting in Penygraig Skipper Liam Davies being despatched to the sin bin.

James Evans was next in action with a drive for the line whilst Richie Moir had a run on the left before Evans again set up the position before poor passing behind wasted the chance. That it was not to be the day for Penarthians was, however, underlined when the normally reliable Scott McCarthy was twice wide with penalty attempts that would normally have been well within his compass.

Nevertheless, it was almost adding insult to injury when Liam Davies returned to the field for the closing minutes and celebrated his birthday with a great sole run that took him clear of all cover and over for the try that secured his side’s bonus point and clinched the 24-0 victory.

For all that Penarthians were forced to play second fiddle on the day, it must say that the scoreline scarce did them justice for they had played a part in a somewhat scruffy encounter. Up front, there was an outstanding performance from veteran Mark Curtis who fully deserved the accolade of his own team’s Man of the Match award whilst hooker Dean Pratt emerged as the top tackler, just ahead of Steve Mohring. Lee Brennan also made his presence felt whilst Alun Haines spared no effort in a second row that also featured useful work from Tony Kemp. It was good to see Paul Langley back in action after his recent injury and he worked well with James Evans whilst Scott Hill tackled strongly and substitutes Mark Smart, Matthew Sutton, and Simon Barry all made their presence felt in the later stages.

Behind, Rhys Morgan impressed with some strong running from the base of the scrum but Scott McCarthy was unusually off form with his kicking although both Tim Naylor and Steve Mohring tried hard in the centre. Nevertheless, although Simon Davies, Richie Moir, Mark Sadler, and Danny Godfrey did their best, a lack of continuity meant that the Penygraig defence was able to cope.

The visitors, however, possessed the game’s best player in the outstanding Liam Davies whilst scrum half Jock Parsons was a lively performer with full back Derwyn Nicholas a dangerous runner.

Also at Cwrt y vil, the Seconds were put in the wrong frame of mind when visitors St. Josephs opted for passive scrums from the outset. This certainly unsettled James William’s men for, within barely four minutes of the kick off, they found themselves two tries and twelve points adrift.

To their credit, they fought back with great spirit and thanks to a brace of tries from Steve Thomas plus other touchdowns from Tom Draper and Jon Colderley and 3 conversions and a penalty from Jonathan Crimp, led by 29 points to 27 going into the final stages. Sadly, the penultimate move of the match produced a try for the visitors that was converted and earned them the spoils in a 29-34 scoreline.

With Tom Parkinson punching well above his weight and Joel De Claire impressing even his Father in only his third game in as many years, the Old Boys competed well up front in a match that nevertheless failed to reach the heights in terms of skill. Chris Kitch was another to work hard whilst Skipper Williams was a lively performer in the back row.