Match Report

Perhaps in early anticipation of the current Guy Fawkes celebrations, Old Penarthians treated their supporters to a display of fireworks last Saturday, the like of which has not been seen at their Cwrt-y-vil headquarters since the halcyon days of the mid-nineties. Luckless Cwmcarn United could not have chosen a worse day to pay their first visit to Penarth for the hosts blasted their way into the third round of the SWALEC Bowl competition with a fourteen try demolition that saw the tally split evenly between the sessions as if the players were intent on cocking a snook at the earlier criticisms that suggested they were developing into one half wonders!

The 86 point total represents the second best score in the Club’s history; beaten only by the 121 points to 3 hammering handed out by Lindsay Jones’s side to the Students of Trinity College Carmarthen in the 1992 Schweppes Cup clash also at Cwrt-y-vil. On that occasion, the try count reached 19 with Peter Goodfellow topping the list with 5 touchdowns plus 7 conversions for a personal match total of 39 that was supplemented by 4 and 3 try contributions from Mathew Turner and Neil Orpin respectively.

Saturday’s effort was, however, spread throughout the team for, although Simon Davies and Richard Moir appear to have become the first wingers to achieve touch down hat-tricks in the same first team match, a total of 9 players shared in the try scoring exploits with Skipper Scott McCarthy weighing in with the eight conversions that provided the icing on the top of the cake.

The return of the mild weather ensured that conditions were far superior to a week earlier and the Old Boys could not have wished for a better start than the second minute break that saw Steve Mohring power over for the opening try albeit that Scott McCarthy struck the upright with his conversion attempt from in front of the posts. Just ten minutes later, an excellent break by Tom Draper saw Simon Davies racing clear on the right, McCarthy again striking the upright with the conversion although from a more excusable angle.

Having lasted fully 14 minutes, Taz Rosoman settled the team sweepstake by making first use of the physio before Gareth D. Jones and Simon Davies combined neatly on the right to enable David Mason to power his way over for the third try, McCarthy failing to hit both upright and target on this occasion. This prompted a spirited response from the visitors and, when Penarthians were penalised for going over the top, centre Matt O’Brien opened their account with a well struck penalty goal.

With the forwards winning good possession, the Old Boys were beginning to string passes together in fine style and full back Tom Draper was in outstanding form as he contributed angles of running that baffled his colleagues almost as much as the opposition. A Scott McCarthy miss move going right then sent Simon Davies racing clear for the side’s fourth try, the Skipper celebrating at last by kicking his first conversion. Tim Naylor was next in the action but that dreadful final pass was only partial redeemed soon after by the exquisite dummy that saw him in for try number 5 that was also converted by McCarthy.

Another fine run from Simon Davies prefaced the surge that took fellow wing Richard Moir in for the next try whilst a marvellous bout of handling that featured a perfectly judged pass from veteran prop Mark Curtis, drafted in as a last minute replacement, before full back Tom Draper broke clear of the cover for his score, McCarthy converting both.

It was, however, to the creditor of the visitors that, despite being completely outplayed for much of the half, they were able to muster the courage and determination to secure the last word for themselves. This came following a fine period of pressure inside the home 25 when prop forward David Richards took full advantage of a lapse in home concentration as he quickly tapped the penalty award before plunging over at the corner, Matt O’Brien adding the excellent conversion.

Ahead by 43 points to 11 at the break, Penarthians hit the half century mark within three minutes of the restart when another Draper break enabled Richard Moir to cross at the corner, McCarthy again adding the extra points. Wing Moir then completed his hat-trick when he beat 4 men in an excellent run for the corner and went on to link with Taz Rosoman as the pair contrived to release Simon Davies for his third try. McCarthy converted the earlier score before changes saw Scott Hill, Dean Pratt, Steve Mohring, and Tom Draper all depart in the space of a few minutes, being replaced by Sean Leach, Lee Brennan, Danny Godfrey, and Mark Sadler respectively.

The multiple changes did little to upset the rhythm of the rampant Old Boys. Indeed, Danny Godfrey made up for the dropped pass two weeks ago with a touchdown within a minute of his arrival whilst excellent work from Taz Rosoman and Simon Davies put Tim Naylor in the clear for his second score, a favour that was returned soon after when Naylor sent Rosoman himself in for a touchdown halfway out after 27 minutes. After Skipper McCarthy had hit the target with conversions for the two latter scores, a Gareth Jones break was supported by Mark Curtis whose perfect pass sent Mark Sadler screaming in for the host’s final touchdown.

Not surprisingly, the hosts now took their foot off the accelerator whilst the unfortunate visitors made the most of the situation as they salvaged certain pride with a try from substitute prop Mike Thomas with centre Matt O’Brien maintaining his 100% kicking record with the conversion that ended the scoring at 86 points to 17.

This was a superb performance from the Old Boys that only served to underline the conviction of Coach Jeff Norman as to the true potential of his charges. It could not be claimed that Cwmcarn were opponents of the highest order but they were not far behind Cardiff Saracens, opponents that Penarthians struggled to beat by 17 points to nil three weeks ago.

With Dean Pratt, Taz Rosoman, and Mark Curtis providing the platform for a solid scrummage, locks Alun Haines and Tony Kemp forged a formidable partnership in the powerhouse. Flankers Scott Hill and Dave Mason revelled in the freedom to roam whilst the charges of number 8 Paul Langley were a fearsome sight as Penarthians dominated the forward exchanges.

Behind the scrum, Gareth D. Jones probed ceaselessly whilst Scott McCarthy called the tune, enabling the backs to produce their best display for many a day. Centres Tim Naylor and Steve Mohring were a constant threat whilst the Cwmcarn cover was clearly unable to cope with the sheer speed of wingers Simon Davies and Richard Moir allied to the elusiveness of the outstanding Tom Draper at full back. If Penarthians can only carry over some of this form into league action, the basement position will surely soon be in need of a new tenant!

Cwrt-y-vil was also the scene of action for the Seconds who took on Pyle in the friendly fixture that saw Andi Morris’s men cruise to a comfortable victory by 28 points to 5.

This was a much more committed performance from the Old Boys who were nevertheless indebted to neighbours Dinas Powys for the last minute loan of utility back Steve Thomas who performed miracles at number 8 whilst topping the tries list with a hat-trick. With James Williams also scoring whilst out of position at flanker, the tally was completed by three fine touchline conversions from Nigel Edmunds although Skipper Morris saved the simple one in front of the posts for himself!

Up front, Penarthians were well served by the sound play of veterans Ian Buckley and Bob Denning whilst scrum half Nigel Edmunds carefully guided the action behind where young Rhys Thomas also caught the eye with the customary ferociousness of his tackling.

Sadly and for the second week running, the game came to an early end when a visiting forward suffered a back injury that necessitated transportation to the University Hospital of Wales. News of his progress is still awaited.