Preview
Old Penarthians will be hoping for fine weather on Saturday as they seek to attract a large crowd to their Cwrt-y-vil headquarters for the 62nd staging of their annual Invitation Sevens tournament. The sixteen sides involved will be competing on a knock out basis for the Old Penarthians trophy although first round losers will be given a second chance of glory when they are moved into the Plate competition that is run alongside the main event.
The competition takes on special importance this year as it marks the end of the involvement of Tournament Organiser Alan Vaughan. Alan took up the reins in the Millennium year of 2000 and has since supervised the changes that have seen the event progress from the strictly “Old Boys” concept at inception in 1950 to the present format that encompasses the many other sides that have expressed interest but who are, nevertheless, taking part by invitation only.
Whilst hosts Old Penarthians along with Old Cantonians are the only to sides with unbroken association with the event, they share with long standing contestants Old Breconians, Old Illtydians, and Ysgol Glantaf O.B. the ideals that were set out by Bill Whitaker when he drew up the blueprint for the oldest tournament of its kind in the Principality.
Unfortunately, changes in the education system resulted in the closure of many of the schools previously connected to the event and, finding himself faced with the prospect of having to abandon a competition that has given so much pleasure over the years or change the nature of the sides taking part, Mr. Vaughan decided to opt for the latter. As a result, Saturday’s contestants include no fewer than 11 sides that are competing as a direct result of his extension of qualification.
There are, of course, some traditionalists who query the changes but the vast majority of supporters are quite happy with the new format and, indeed, it is a widely held view that the standard has improved immeasurably in recent years. Nevertheless, it is worth pointing out that defending Champions, Ysgol Glantaf O.B., have been finalists three times in the last four years, sharing that honour with Cardiff H.S.O.B. and Llanishen H.S.O.B. as current representatives of that bygone era.
By way of a farewell gift and in celebration of a job well done, Alan has again introduced two fresh sides to the tournament this year. Llandovery College O.B. did participate some years ago under a different guise but Wiltshire based Corsham R.F.C. are represented for the very first time. They are joined by the Voyagers from London Welsh R.F.C. and Baby Blues, representative of the Cardiff Blues Academy, both of whom reappear after missing last year’s event.
Whilst Ysgol Glantaf O.B. will be strongly fancied to take their fourth title in five years, they can expect a fearsome first round challenge from the Blues youngsters although Fijian backed Covenant Brothers, shock first round losers in 2010 who went on to win the Plate, could well feature strongly in the top half of the draw. Also expected to repeat their performances of recent years and to do well this time are Cardiff and District O.B. and the highly competitive Llanrumney H.S.O.B. who are scheduled to take on Old Penarthians, seeking to win their first title since 1960, in the first round.
Another interesting first round clash is the meeting between Kratos Titans, impressive semi-final opponents a year ago, and Cardiff based Meibion Plasmawr. The opening first round match sees Covenant Brothers take on ever present Old Cantonians whilst Whitchurch H.S.O.B. bring the round to an end with a tie against Tregaron O.B..
The full draw reads: Old Cantonians v Covenant Brothers; Kratos Titans v Meibion Plasmawr; Cardiff and District O.B. v Old Breconians: Old Illtydians v Voyagers; Ysgol Glantaf O.B. v Baby Blues; Corsham R.F.C. v Llandovery College O.B.; Llanrumney H.S.O.B. v Old Penarthians; Whitchurch H.S.O.B. v Tregaron O.B..
Admission to the event is by way of programme priced at £2 but ample free parking is available on the ground. The first round kicks off at 2.00 p.m. whilst the Plate and Main Finals are scheduled for 6.00 and 6.30 respectively.