Seconds cut swathe through opposition (rugby) (From Penarth Times)

Seconds cut swathe through opposition (rugby)

THE 13-team format in Division 5 South East meant that it was the turn of Old Penarthians to sit out from competitive action on Saturday.

With no friendly played either, the main spotlight fell upon the second team's visit to Tongwynlais.

Arrival at the ground revealed that no referee was available, leaving Ieuan Moorcraft and his men having to accept the offer to officiate that came from a home supporter, with the safety proviso that the scrums would be uncontested throughout.

Despite the obvious restrictions thus created, the game was a lively contest with Penarthians proving to be the superior outfit, winning 34-3. The need to abandon set scrums worked against the Old Boys, but the side dominated all other phases up front. Tony Kemp personally accounted for some 90% of the lineout possession, while Mark Smart threw the hosts into a state of panic whenever he had the ball in his hands in broken play.

With these two setting the standard there was excellent support from the front trio of Lee Brennan, Iwan Davies and Sully import Paul Dunscombe, all three clearly relishing release from their duties in the depths of the set pieces.

Gareth Bolton was always to the fore, until temporarily retiring injured, his replacement being another Sully regular, Simon Watts.

Chris Kitch contributed some sterling work in support at the lineout. Completing the line-up in a pack that clearly possessed too many guns for the hosts, Tony Kemp was surprisingly lively in the unaccustomed role as flanker, forming a fine partnership with the lively Ryan Harper that was never far adrift from the outstanding Mark Smart.

Behind the scrum, Simon Hennessey linked well with Adrian Ball, the latter impressing with a more than useful display at outside half. Centres Ieuan Moorcraft and Ben Smith did their best to keep the line moving, with Matthew Paul and David Bird in eager support on the wings while Huw Williams was an impressively enterprising performer at full back.

Although the hosts opened the scoring with a penalty goal after ten minutes, it was not long before the Old Boys responded, making their presence felt at a lineout on the 25. Tony Kemp's clean take saw Mark Smart and Gareth Bolton take the ball on before the defence opened up for hooker Dunscombe to sprint clear for a well-taken try that was converted by Adrian Ball. Smart was again to the fore soon after, when he gathered an opposing drop-out and made good ground, before putting wing David Bird away for his first try since joining the club.

There was a touch of irony about the third score. Penarthians moved the ball going left, but a poor pass from Simon Hennessey allowed the hosts to intercept, only for their player to lose possession close to the ten-yard line. In an instant, Huw Williams gathered and was into his stride, jinking to both left and right before crossing for a fine score. Adrian Ball added the extra points, but could not improve on the final score of the half which came when the irrepressible Smart forced his way over, following another lineout take from Tony Kemp.

Playing against the slope, the Old Boys were not as fluent in the second half, but still possessed sufficient dominance for Adrian Ball to cross after an earlier movement had progressed play some 50 yards upfield. The feat was repeated by Ball soon after, when skipper Moorcraft achieved his own reward for a fine afternoon's play, touching down after a 40-yard canter that enabled him to keep well ahead of the scarcely chasing defence.

At Cwrt-y-Vil, the Vets found themselves confronted by the very good opponents in Clwb Rygby from Cardiff, but still managed to give a good account of themselves before finally succumbing by 15 points to 26.

The visitors were given a good start when an error by skipper Rob Crimp gifted them their first try, but they were made to work the harder for further scores with evergreen David Martin in outstanding form at flanker. Front row forwards Russell Welsh, Phil Davies, and Gordon Walsh performed superbly in the set pieces, while Mark Bow was another in fine form despite suffering from the bad luck that resulted in constantly having to bend down to pick up the erratic service from Carwyn Lewis.

In a match that was played in excellent spirit, Mark Lloyd made a welcome return to action.

Penarthians' points came from excellent tries scored by Jon Howell, Carwyn Lewis and Mark Rees.

Finally, a word to older members. The club is in process of re-designing the display cabinets within the clubhouse and is anxious to secure any team photographs that might be available, particularly reflecting the past 20 years.

It would be appreciated if anyone able to help would contact Bob Denning on 2070 5507.