Disappointing defeat (From Penarth Times)

Disappointing defeat

OLD PENARTHIANS suffered the second defeat of the current league campaign when the Firsts produced a disappointing performance in losing at home to visitors Nelson by 29 points to 10.

On a day that was perfect for rugby football, Mark Lloyd's men rarely got to grips with their opponents up front with the result that the backs were largely redundant in an attacking capacity and, but for some solid defence, the side could well have succumbed to an even greater margin.

With Gareth Shaw nursing an injury and Jon Barry otherwise unavailable, the selectors were forced to gamble by switching the ever-reliable Mark Curtis into the hooking berth, a move that proved to be disastrous in terms of the failure to secure set scrum possession.

Making matters worse, Mark Glover's ankle injury robbed the side of his expertise so that the lineout options were similarly restricted whilst, behind the scrum, the strong running Andy Hopkins was another notable absentee.

Heavy traffic from the North resulted in referee Gary Harvey arriving 20 minutes later than the scheduled kick-off time and the Wrexham based official appeared not to be in the right frame of mind for much of the game.

Certainly, a number of his decisions confused both players and supporters alike and it was significant that several were instrumental in the scores registered by the visitors.

Playing towards the Clubhouse, Nelson missed an early chance when outside half Jamie Rees fired wide with a penalty attempt from the 10 yard line. Nevertheless, the central Glamorgan men were showing early and ominous signs of dominating the forward exchanges and Penarthians were grateful for a couple of fine relieving kicks from outside half Nigel Edmunds.

In the 19th minute, however, the visitors went ahead.

From a 25 drop out, the ball ran loose and scrum half Adrian Withers sniped to the blindside before kicking to the corner.

Mark Bow was chasing in cover when the Nelson man was clearly seen to push him aside before diving on the ball for a controversial try to be awarded. Jamie Rees added the extra points with an excellent kick.

At the opposite end, a promising Penarthian attack came to nought when Mark Lloyd made something of a hash with a dropped goal attempt whilst Noel Isherwood's mazy ran was similarly unproductive when the centre ran away from his support.

Nigel Edmunds' penalty kick from close to the touchline soon after was, however, only just wide of the target.

The Old Boys, however, had only themselves to blame for the next score. A penalty inside the home 25 saw Mark Lloyd surprisingly opt to run the ball. The flanker, however, was stopped dead in his tracks and Penarthians themselves were penalised for going over the top, Rees kicking the goal from the 25. Adding insult to injury, Lloyd was forced to leave the field for attention to a bloodied nose, Sean Lewis deputising.

In close succession, Nelson twice kicked the ball dead from close to halfway, the hosts being dumfounded when referee Harvey insisted on 25 yard restarts on each occasion when it appeared that they should have been awarded scrums back at the point of kicking.

This ensured that pressure was unnecessarily maintained, leading indirectly to the third score. On this occasion, full back Lewis Harris fielded the ball close to his line.

The collar clutching tackle from a chasing opponent was clearly high and meriting a penalty award. In the event, the ball ran loose and, although Chris Dacey was quickly into his stride and appeared to have a clear run on the right, play was called back for a scrum to Penarthians.

Nelson took full toll by winning the strike against the head and scrum half Withers fed number 8 Chris Bryan on the blindside and he could not be stopped from short range.

Rees again added the extra points to put his side 17 points clear at the break.

With Malcolm Penberthy taking over from Lee Brennan at the start of the second half, Penarthians showed early enterprise as Mark Bow kicked ahead and set off in pursuit of a 50 yard chase for the ball. Unfortunately, he failed to get the luck of the bounce and Nelson counter-attacked in a manner that exposed limitations in the home cover.

Indeed, a try must have ensued had the supporting flanker not dropped the ball when in prospect of a clear run to the line.

Some hope for home supporters was engendered when Nigel Edmunds found the target with a 30 yard penalty after 17 minutes but the Old Boys were still struggling to secure any possession that was worthwhile.

The visitors, meanwhile, were content to concentrate their efforts on the driving play of their own forwards and the tactic paid off when the lively Adrian Withers broke clear from 15 yards to touch down for an opportunist try that was not converted.

Worse was to follow soon after when flank forward Alun Williams crossed, Withers taking over the kicking duties to slot the goal.

With time running out, Penarthians rang the changes as David Follon took over from Nigel Edmunds whilst an injury to Noel Isherwood brought Tony Kemp on to the field, necessitating a general re-shuffle. It was, however, to little avail until a lineout in the closing seconds resulted in a penalty award. Mark Lloyd opted for the tap move and Mark Bow, in outstanding form throughout the afternoon, scuttled between the posts for a consolation try that was converted by David Follon.

Whilst there may have been some concern at the manner in which the visiting tries were achieved, there was little doubt that Nelson were clearly the better side, but for some weak handling, could well have won by a greater margin. Certainly, the Old Boys have considerable work to do up front if the weeks ahead are not to be traumatic although injuries and unavailabilities are not currently helping to establish a settled side.

Of the forwards, none worked harder than Paul Rees whilst it was good to see Malcolm Penberthy back in action for the first time this term and Mark Lloyd tackled with customary enthusiasm.

Behind, Mark Bow was clearly the best performer, his industry and total commitment being an example to others, and Chris Dacey again worked hard in the centre of a back division that suffered from lack of ball.

On the adjoining pitch at Cwrt-y-Vil, the Thirds produced their best display of the season as they comfortably accounted for neighbours Dinas Powys by 34 points to 5 in a Cardiff and District League game. Added interest to the clash came from the sight of veterans Bobby Mcpherson, Mike Hartrey, Steve Kelly and Paul Jefferies in the visiting line-up but, on the day, it was seen that the Penarthian oldies were the more golden as brothers Richard and David Smith, together with Neil Warren, turned on the style in the home back row.

Three tries in the first quarter ensured that the Villagers had a mountain to climb and with the Old Boys pack in fine form, chances abounded for the backs to show their paces.

Andy Petersen, Keith Jackson, Neil Warren, Dave Pilcher, and ace-poacher Steve Goodfellow were the try scorers whilst Phil Marks, who controlled the game superbly from outside half, kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Up front, Penarthians were also well served by Gary Carpenter, Zac Brown, and Mike Sullivan with Bob Denning and Chris Davies combining well in the powerhouse and Steve Morse catching the eye in the loose.

Behind, it was the experience of Dave Pilcher that was always to the fore with Jon Howell and Howard Davies adding their own peculiar touches at times.

Saturday sees the Firsts travel to Llanishen for their game whilst the Seconds, denied a fixture when Taffs Well were involved in a cup clash, are now seeking a pool fixture. The Thirds, meanwhile, travel to Cardiff Saracens whilst the Fourths open their campaign by entertaining Avonmouth. All matches kick off at 2.30pm.