Old Pens let it slip (From Penarth Times)

Old Pens let it slip

THERE CAN be little doubt that the players of the Old Penarthians senior side will have spent the whole of the week kicking themselves after the appaling manner in which they allowed seemingly certain victory to slip from their grasp in last Saturday's National league fixture away to St Josephs.

Ten points adrift after they had failed to curb the fury of the opening stages by opponents who looked far from fellow strugglers in those early minutes, the Old Boys rallied magnificently to secure the two converted tries that enabled them to establish a four point lead with the break fast approaching.

Making matters worse for the hosts was the witless behaviour of their flank forward who, for no obvious reason, attempted an abortive head butt immediately after the second touchdown to leave the referee with no option than to brandish the red card.

Reduced to 10 men and with Penarthians clearly in control, it seemed likely that St Josephs were doomed to another defeat, enabling their visitors to secure the spoils and edge closer to the safety of the mid-table position in Division 5 (East).

One can only guess as to the words uttered during the half time recess but the fact remains that the hosts went into the second half with a commitment that made a mockery of the inequality in numbers, the super seven succeeding in taking apart their opponents up front to prepare the groundwork for the determined finishing that was to yield four further tries without reply and a fully deserved victory by 30 points to 14.

Such was the fast and furious nature of the start that Penarthians could count themselves fortunate that they were not behind in the very first minute of the game. Strong defence was, however, allied to the faulty handling of their opponents and the line did remain intact. Nevertheless, the respite was short-lived and, in the ninth minute, a back row move saw flanker Gavin Riorden force his way over for an unconverted score.

From the re-start, the ball was fielded by number 8 Jamie Dixon who contemptuously brushed aside the feeblest of tackles to set off on a charge that was well supported by two colleagues before Riorden again added the finishing touch.

It was, in fact, some 20 minutes before the visitors first got close to the opposing 25, Gavin Davies firing wide with a penalty attempt from 30 yards. Mark Bow then featured in a good move that saw Noel Isherwood just fail to find Chris Dacey in space on the right.

The Old Boys, however, were now playing with greater confidence and, when Andy Hopkins set off on a charge through the centre, Mark Bow switched the direction of the attack for skipper Mark Lloyd to sell the cheekiest of dummies before touching down close to the posts. Gavin Davies added the extra points.

Forwards and backs were now well into a groove as St Josephs found themselves forced on to the back foot. A scrum just beyond the 25 saw Mark Bow put in a beautifully judged chip that bounced badly for the full back but straight into the hands of Chris Dacey for the wing to power his way over for a touchdown close to the posts. Gavin Davies again made no mistake with the kick.

That the second half should have revealed such a transformation was impossible to predict. The very first lineout saw a poor Penarthian throw latched onto by the outstanding Jamie Dixon. Not for the first time, the number 8 swept through the defence as though it was not existent, finally unloading to his centre who touched down wide out.

Although just a point ahead, the hosts rampaged as though their lives were dependent upon the outcome. It was not, however, until the 25th minute that the breakthrough finally occurred.

Nevertheless, when it did, it was to produce humiliation for the Old Boys as Dixon and Riorden touched down in quick succession from close range before an excellent combined move produced a final score on the left to bring the tally to 6 tries, only the lack of a competent goal kicker preventing St Josephs from completing a total rout.

For the Seconds, the trip to Bridgend Sports produced another defeat but a more encouraging performance as they succumbed by 23 points to 7. Adrift by 18 points at the break, they fought back to such an extent in the second session that they shaded the scoring honours by 7 points to 5 even though they were reduced to 14 men when debutant Aaron Slater was taken to hospital with a broken thumb.

A strong performance up front saw excellent rucking marred only by a propensity to concede silly penalties and newcomer Grant Lillywhite was especially effective with excellent support from out-of-retirement Ross Turpitt.

Danny Godfrey's lively form was rewarded with the side's only try, skipper Ben House adding the conversion.

Whilst the top sides are experiencing a particularly lean spell, it seems that there is no stopping the Thirds, Phil Brock's men achieving a sixth win in succession as they trounced a formidable Pencoed outfit by 22 points to 5.

Tries by Peter Goodfellow (2), Jon Howell and Matt Turner were the reward for a fine afternoon's work; Phil Marks kicking a lone conversion to complete the points tally.

An error strewn first half did not give much promise of the events to come but the fact remains that the Old Boys took complete charge after the break and domination up front allowed free rein to an inventive back division. Peter Goodfellow produced many of his old tricks whilst Jon Howell's impact was always evident in the second half.

Saturday's international at the Millennium Stadium has curtailed fixtures with only the Firsts league game at home to Pill Harriers certain to take place, kick off 2.30pm.