Late try robs Old Boys (From Penarth Times)

Late try robs Old Boys

Glad to be back in action after the period of enforced inactivity, Old Penarthians produced one of their best performances of the season as they took on promotion contenders Llanishen in last Saturday's Division 5 (East) clash at Cwrt-y-vil.

Nevertheless, it was heartbreak for Mark Lloyd and his men when, having led for most of the game, they succumbed to the injury time try that gave the visitors victory by 16 points to 13.

Despite the atrocious weather earlier in the week, the pitch was in remarkably fine fettle for the match and, although a stiff breeze blew towards the Clubhouse end throughout, the rains held off until well after the final whistle.

The Old Boys took an early lead when Nigel Edmunds landed a 25 yard penalty in the 3rd minute but the visitors, placed second in the league and amongst it's highest try scorers, posted notice of intent with the smart handling move from a tap move that sent winger Rob Walsh in for the game's first touchdown.

With the wind in their favour during the opening session, the hosts clearly needed a big score before the break and outside half Edmunds edged them back in front with two excellently judged penalties, both from distance and at an angle to the wind.

Nevertheless, there was an element of luck that this lead was later extended. Having produced resolute defence to withstand an intense period of Llanishen forward pressure, the side broke out with Andy Hopkins creating space with a powerful burst through the centre.

Fed on the left, full back Mark Isherwood put in a clever punt to the opposite corner and, although winger Ross Turpitt flew in from the right in search of the touchdown, it appeared that he had been just thwarted by the despairing boot of an opposing coverer. Referee Tony Evans, however, must have been partially unsighted for he controversially awarded the score, Nigel Edmunds converting superbly from close to touch.

Indiscipline cost Penarthians an early penalty in the second half but the normally reliable Andrew Edwards was wide of the target before later finding the mark with a more difficult attempt in the 13th minute.

Llanishen were now dominating territorially as they capitalised from the wind at their backs and the signs were ominous when Edwards narrowed the gap to just two points with a second successful penalty four minutes later.

To their credit, however, the Old Boys responded in kind and excellent lineout work from Rob Thompson and Tony Kemp ensured that Llanishen were penned in their own half as Gareth Shaw, Lee Brennan, and Skipper Mark Lloyd featured in successive drives to keep the defence at full stretch.

Those efforts were probably worthy of a score but the hosts ran out of patience and, when the ball was released to the backs, a kick to the corner saw possession pass to the visitors and they quickly took up the offensive at the opposite end.

Once again, outstanding defence from Penarthians ensured that the eager attackers were kept at bay and it was noticeable that signs of frustration began to appear in the Llanishen ranks.

The game was now moving in to the period of added time and a careless penalty was conceded to give Edwards an opportunity to snatch victory. Audible sighs of relief were heard around the ground as the kick went wide of the target and it seemed that the hosts were now certain of a famous victory.

It was a tragedy, then, that Penarthian enterprise was the cause of their downfall. Possession was recovered from the subsequent 25 yard restart and the ball was moved to the left. The speedy Mark Horrocks decided to chance his arm and was quick to follow up on his own kick ahead.

Llanishen, however, had covered the move and the ball catcher was expertly supported by a posse of players who cleanly released the ball. In a trice, the visiting backs were in action. The ball was moved swiftly along the line, the passes were accurate and the defenders short in numbers.

Space was created for winger Jonathan Holmes to get outside his man and, to the delight of his own supporters, he sprinted clear from 30 yards for an excellent and crucial touchdown at the corner. Andrew Edwards could not convert but it was enough to secure the victory and the fact that Llanishen were denied a further try at the corner when Referee Evans decreed that the player was in touch was of incidental interest only.

For all that the game was lost, Penarthians should still take comfort from the fact that they had met and competed with one of the better sides in the division. Nevertheless, there are lessons to be learned; on too many occasions, the side has lulled itself into a false sense of security in the final stages of a games, allowing vital points to be frittered away.

Coach Mike Goldsworthy was, however, quick to praise his charges after the game and much credit was earned up front where Gareth Shaw, Lee Brennan, and Mark Curtis competed well in the tight. There was fine support, too, from Rob Thompson and Tony Kemp, both of whom won excellent lineout ball whilst the influence of Mark Lloyd was always evident in a back row that featured gutsy contributions from both Grant Lillywhite and Paul Rees.

Behind the scrum, Simon Hennessey was an able substitute for the injured David Shearer and Nigel Edmunds linked neatly as well as providing a strike force with the excellence of his goal kicking.

Chris Dacey and Andy Hopkins worked hard to create space in midfield whilst their defence, with that of wingers Ross Turpitt and Mark Horrocks, was steadfast. Mark Isherwood provided a sound last line of defence and was always ready to try the unorthodox in attack whilst substitutes Jason Lloyd, Aaron Slaughter, and Ben House also made useful contributions.

Unfortunately, the story was less heartening with the Seconds. The last minute re-arrangement of their game with Llanishen left the side short of too many players and it was a scratch outfit that made the journey to Cardiff. The fact that the final scoreline reflected an 89 points to nil victory for the hosts probably says it all!

Saturday's international at Cardiff means that the Club is without fixtures this weekend.