Old Boys' boycott (From Penarth Times)

Old Boys' boycott

THE OPTIMISM prevailing within the Old Penarthians camp just a week ago was dispensed to the four corners of the Club's Cwrt-y-vil headquarters on Saturday last as the lack of commitment shown by the current crop of players produced a situation as regrettable as any witnessed throughout the 80-year history of the Old Boys.

Perhaps the writing was on the wall when second-team skipper Ieuan Moorcraft made his midweek announcement that he was unable to muster a side, thus necessitating the cancellation of his side's league fixture away to Rhiwbina.

Nevertheless, there was an air of incredulity at Thursday's suggestion that a similar situation could be on the cards for the senior side.

There was a lengthy injury list, there were some with other commitments but it seemed ridiculous that 15 or so could not be gathered for the trip to Penallta.

Unfortunately, by Saturday just 10 players had made themselves available.

Simon Davies, Mark Smart, Lee Brennan, Gareth Shaw, Tony Kemp, and Tim Broome have all been among the most enthusiastic of the side's performers and it was inevitable that they would be present. Ryan Harper, Phil Middleton, and Jon Aubrey were others who have also donned the senior colours, while veterans skipper Rob Crimp volunteered his services in an attempt to make up the numbers.

Frantic phone calls produced a total lack of response from individuals clearly unenthusiastic at the prospect of a trip to probably the strongest side in the division and, when it became clear that secretary Tony Crimp and chairman Mel Jones were the only others prepared to put there bodies on the line, there was a real prospect that the pantomime season had come a couple of weeks early, leaving those in authority with no option other than to postpone the fixture.

But what of Penarthians themselves? This is the first time that it has been impossible to raise a first XV for a league fixture and it leaves the club with the prospect of having to travel midweek to fulfil the fixture later in the season.

It is a near certainty that the club will be subjected to disciplinary action by the WRU, probably resulting in the deduction of three points from a tally that is already less than meagre and it could well involve the imposition of a fine which, together with the cost of the abortive coach hire for the day, could see the club some 500 out of pocket.

It remains to be seen just what effect will be carried over to the fixtures this weekend. The firsts are home to Cefn Coed.

This match is scheduled to kick off at 2.30pm, a time identical to that arranged for the seconds in their home league game against St Albans, of Cardiff.