Report
Old Penarthians were hosts to the 60th staging of the oldest Sevens in Wales when their ever-popular tournament took place at Cwrt-y-Vil last Saturday.
Despite the increase in heartbeat suffered by organiser Alan Vaughan when Cowbridge GSOB and Pontyclun were late withdrawals from the original list of entrants, 16 sides were represented at kick-off time and the afternoon proceeded with clockwork precision and in the face of only minor interruption from the blustery wind and heavy showers that threatened on times.
An excellent standard of rugby prevailed throughout the five hours of continuous action that took place before Cardiff based Ysgol Glantaf OB celebrated their 20th appearance at the event by taking the title for a third time, when they defeated debutants Cardiff "Baby" Blues by 33 points to 26 in a thrilling final.
Much fancied Baby Blues got their challenge off to a fine start with a try and conversion from Geraint Driscoll before the lively Owain Broad contributed a length-of-field run to produce the marvellous touchdown that was converted by Matthew McLean to level matters. Gavin Dacey edged the Blues back in front with an unconverted score but Glantaf nosed ahead right on the interval when Broad secured his second touchdown with McLean adding the conversion points that measured the margin in the 14-12 score line.
That lead was extended within seconds of the resumption, Matthew McLean racing in for the touchdown that he also converted, but it was a case of tit-for-tat when the Dacey/Driscoll duo combined to produce the converted try that reduced the gap to just 2 points. Tackling was fierce and relentless as both sides struggled to break the deadlock, again the even nature of the tie being reflected in a Tom Daly touchdown and Matthew McLean conversion being matched by a similar contribution by Owen Williams and Geraint Driscoll for the Blues.
The score seemed to inspire the Cardiff side and the pressure on the Glantaf line was increased. The Old Boys, however, proved equal to the challenge and when, with time ebbing, their forwards pushed the opposition off a scrum on the Glantaf 10 yard line, the ubiquitous Broad snapped up the resultant possession and left a trail of would-be tacklers in his wake as he sprinted to the corner to dive over for a sensational score. It mattered not that the normally accurate McLean failed with the difficult conversion, for the final whistle went to signify the new Champions with the hero of the hour, Owain Broad, deservedly taking the plaudits as the Player of the Tournament.
Earlier, the Old Boys had comfortably disposed of the very plucky but inexperienced Penarth Youth squad in a 27-0 score line that did scant justice to the efforts of youngsters who had been called up at the last minute as replacements for Cowbridge GSOB.
A harder task, however, awaited them in the second round where the London Welsh Academy in the guise of newcomers Voyagers fought back from a half time 19-7 deficit to share the second half honours before succumbing in the 24-12 final score. In the semi-final, Ysgol Glantaf found themselves up against Sevens specialists and West Walian based Legionnaires, another of the sides new to the event. Legionnaires, however, had clearly been stretched in their earlier outing against Old Penarthians and were no match for a rampant Glantaf side that rattled up tries by Broad, Daly, Lincoln Plummer, Paul Nash, and Matthew McLean, who also converted all five in the 35-0 victory that eased the way into the final.
Cardiff Blues had enjoyed a comfortable 24-7 win against UWIC, last-minute replacements for Pontyclun, on their initial appearance at the event before superior fitness proved to be a factor in the 24-12 success that was then achieved against a doggedly determined Old Illtydian outfit in the second round.
Their semi-final contest was against Cardiff and District who had earlier created the shock of the afternoon when they convincingly defeated defending Champions and much fancied Young Ospreys by 5 tries to 2 in the 31-14 score line that in no way flattered the victors.
The side could not, however, reproduce that form against the Blues who won their way into the final tie with a 26-12 victory.
Hosts Old Penarthians enjoyed a 26 points to 14 first round success against Old Cantonians, these two sides being the only ever-present in the 59 years of the competition.
Home hearts were, however, in their mouths as Cantonians shot into a 14 point lead with tries from Justin Jones and Gareth Scully, the players each converting their own scores. Gareth Jones put the Old Boys back on track with his touchdown right on the break, whilst Tom Lampard produced the tackle of the day before Tom Luck, Chris Poole, and Leon Andrews all scored with Andrews (2) and Poole adding the conversions that took the side to the respectable 26-14 success.
Other first round ties saw Voyagers defeat South Wales Fire Service by 24-17 in a closely contested affair but Legionnaires had a less stressful introduction as they crushed Old Breconians by 38 points to nil in their opener.
Old Illtydians posted the main event’s highest score of the day in their 48-0 demolition of St Josephs OB whilst Young Ospreys showed little sign of the shock to come as they put paid to Cardiff HSOB by 24-0 even though it might have been apparent that Cardiff and District were warming up to face the defending champions by trouncing Warriors by 40 points to 5.
An Owen Sedgby try in the first half gave Legionnaires an early advantage in their second round try against Old Penarthians. Stuart Clarke, however, powered his way over against the wind after the break and, when Chris Poole’s fine effort was converted by Leon Andrews to put the hosts in front, home hopes were on the rise. Sadly, Sedgby’s second score was converted by Chris Jones to level the tie and, when Ryan Llewellyn broke away for the winning try that was also converted by Jones, the Old Boys might have had cause to regret the decision to forego the simple penalty chance that had come their way earlier in the half.
In the Plate competition, both Old Cantonians and UWIC enjoyed comfortable victories on their way to the final although, at the latter stage, it became quickly evident that the Students possessed a greater advantage by way of superior fitness. Certainly, the Old Boys were delighted that tries from Keith David and Dan Connolly, the latter adding the conversion to his score, gave them a 12 point lead before Matt Arnold touched down and Gareth Holgate converted to put the Students back in contention just on the break.
However, the second session saw the speedy Ed Tellwright produce a hat-trick of stunning tries, two of which were converted by Holgate and Tellwright himself with Cantonians able to contribute just a Gareth Scully touchdown as the College claimed the trophy in a 26-17 score line.
A feature of the thoroughly enjoyable afternoon was the sight of British Lion Jamie Roberts acting as water boy for his Ysgol Glantaf former schoolmates, whilst the spectators were treated to a total of 77 tries scored by 45 players in the main tournament, before the final prizes were presented by 82-year-old Mr John Ratcliffe, Captain of the Old Penarthians squad who were winners of the inaugural event in 1950.
Results:
Main event - Ysgol Glantaf OB 27, Penarth Youth 0; Voyagers 24, Fire Service 17; Old Penarthians 26, Old Cantonians 14; Legionnaires 38, Old Breconians 0; Cardiff Baby Blues 21, UWIC 5; Old Illtydians 48, St. Josephs OB 7; Young Ospreys 24, Cardiff HSOB 0; Warriors 5, Cardiff & District 40
Round 2: Ysgol Glantaf OB 24, Voyagers 12; Old Penarthians 12, Legionnaires 19; Cardiff Baby Blues 24, Old Illtydians 12; Young Ospreys 14, Cardiff & District 31
Semi-finals: Ysgol Glantaf OB 35, Legionnaires 0; Cardiff Baby Blues 26, Cardiff & District 12
Final: Ysgol Glantaf OB 33, Cardiff Baby Blues 26
Plate competition - Penarth Youth 0, Fire Service 19; Old Cantonians 38, Old Breconians 7; UWIC 52, St Josephs OB 0; Cardiff HSOB 19, Warriors 14
Semi-finals: Fire Service 7, Old Cantonians 36; UWIC 14, Cardiff HSOB 7
Final: Old Cantonians 17, UWIC 26