Resilient Old Penarthians left lacking at the finish (From Penarth Times)

Resilient Old Penarthians left lacking at the finish

DESPITE suffering a second defeat in their Lloyds TSB National League campaign, Old Penarthians produced yet another encouraging performance away to Bridgend Sports on Saturday last, recovering from a 19-point deficit to trail by just four points in a 22-26 score line before full back Henley Jenkins slotted the late penalty that assured the hosts of their 29-22 success.

Bridgend's Bandstand Field was in excellent condition for the match with only the presence of a stiff breeze promising difficulty to the players.

Penarthians, however, got off to a poor start as, playing with the wind at their backs, they allowed the Sports to dominate possession and secure the convincing lead that came through touchdowns from James Payne and Geraint Lewis plus a penalty try awarded for obstruction while Jenkins slotted that brace of conversions that comprised the 19-point tally. Indeed, it was well into injury time that the visitors suddenly became galvanised. Good work from the forwards prefaced an exchange of passes between Simon Hennessey and Andrew Vale before the lively Simon Davies raced over at the corner.

Two minutes later and in the 48th minute of the half, Chris Dacey opened up in the centre to the supporting Tim Broome for the latter to play a delicate chip to the right where Dacey himself showed a fine turn of pace to secure the second touchdown that produced the 10-19 score line at the break.

Penarthians approach remained positive on the resumption and the move that took play from deep in the half was excellent. Unfortunately, the pass that Chris Dacey fired out from midfield was smartly intercepted by centre Paul Evans who raced 50 yards for a try converted once more by Jenkins. With skipper Hennessey and number eight Jon Vaughan already injury victims and replaced by Adrian Ball and Gareth Bolton respectively, this was clearly a testing time for the character of the Old Boys.

That they proved equal to the challenge was a tribute to their determination and, when Nigel Edmunds slotted a penalty into the corner, Tony Kemp's lineout take prefaced excellent close work that brought a deserved try for Gareth Shaw. Unfortunately, the hooker was injured in the process, and he was replaced by Mark Curtis with David Bird temporarily taking over from Mark Smart before eventually slotting in on the wing instead of Tim Broome.

The changes failed to disrupt the determination and the forwards again drove into the opposing territory. A scrum ensued and both Nigel Edmunds and Ross Turpitt handled before Chris Dacey was seen to be diving between the posts. John Aubrey wasted no time in dropping the conversion and the visitors were in sight of victory.

That the hosts had lost their earlier composure was seen in the alacrity with which Henley Jenkins opted for a kick at the posts at the opposite end, the penalty boosting the gap to the value of a converted try. Still the Old Boys refused to concede and Chris Dacey and Mark Smart were unlucky that they just failed to control the final ball in a thrilling 50-yard chase that might well have produced an equalising score.

In the event, it was not to be but Simon Hennessey ended in far more optimistic mood than a week ago. Simon Davies' returning to full back added pace and an elusiveness that was sometimes as confusing to his colleagues as the opposition while Chris Dacey was at his powerful best in the centre. Hennessey himself suffered from a head injury but both Andrew Vale and Tim Broome worked hard on the wings while John Aubrey and Nigel Edmunds showed some neat touches at half back. Tony Kemp's new found aggressiveness came close to attracting the yellow card attention of referee Andrew Alsept while Mark Smart was again all action in the back row with good support from Ross Turpitt, but Jon Vaughan's effectiveness was hampered by a recurrence of a calf injury. Gareth Shaw's return added a lively presence in the loose while Jason Lloyd and Lee Brennan scrummaged well with Andy Spender adding second row support.

Saturday sees the side at home to new opponents in Ferndale, the Cwrt-y-Vil kick off scheduled for 2.30pm.

The seconds are at home to neighbours Sully and will be hoping that the opposition does not refuse to travel as was the case with Barry a week ago. Completing a full schedule, the Vets will be travelling to Newport where St Julians provide the opposition for Rob Crimp and his men.