Penarthians unable to hang on for win (From Penarth Times)

Penarthians unable to hang on for win

After the disasters of a week ago, Old Penarthians returned to action on Saturday last - but only just! The club was scheduled for first team action against Cefn Coed while the Seconds were due to entertain Cowbridge in an East District cup clash.

In the case of the senior side, no fewer than nine changes were made from the team that had been published just 48 hours earlier, decimating the numbers available for inclusion in Ieuan Moorcraft's lineup to do duty in the cup match. This sad state of affairs was reflected in the fact that the game started with Penarthians fielding just 15 players, a situation that was not remedied until a voluntary appearance late in the game from Mike Goldsworthy brought the side barely up to scratch.

Merthyr-based Cefn Coed provided the senior opposition and the visitors were clearly intent on reversing the result that had been posted in the opening game of the season. Penarthians had won by 7-5 in that match. While the Old Boys had succeeded in winning only one other game, Cefn had been on the winning side in eight of their games and had risen rapidly to fourth place in the divisional table.

The Old Boys, however, showed considerable spirit from the outset and, despite the set-back of an early converted try from Tim Phillips, fought back to make the most of their chances and lead 8-7 at the interval. Outside half Tim Broome opened the home account with a neat penalty from 25 yards while the game's opening try came just on the half hour. Mark Bow rifled a penalty kick into the 25 on the right and Tony Kemp duly obliged by securing possession at the ensuing lineout. A great drive from the forwards followed and number 8 Mark Smart was in the van as he was driven over the line for a well-taken touchdown.

Clearly unsettled by this unexpected reverse, the visitors piled on the pressure until the half-time break but were unable to penetrate an heroic Penarthian defence in which forwards Mark Smart, Rob Pearce, and Phil Middleton were particularly effective with fine support from Mark Bow and Steve Richards behind.

The second half was, however, just six minutes old when centre Andrew Sullivan broke clear for a neat try that was also converted by Lewis to put the Merthyr men back in front but, with the difference just six points, it was still anyone's game. The Cefn Coed pressure was unrelenting but the Penarthians defence held firm and it was clear that such unyielding resistance was playing havoc with the visiting game plan and successive chances were wasted as the result of wrong options and poor finishing.

Unfortunately, the Old Boys were unable to contrive the breakaway that could have led to a winning score and there was palpable relief among the visitors and their supporters when, with ten minutes remaining, outside half Lewis kicked the penalty that put daylight between the sides before finally crossing for the unconverted try that gave his side victory, 22-8.

To be fair to Penarthians, the spirited performance was an encouragement especially as so many of the side were playing together for the first time. Malcolm Penberthy, Gareth Shaw and Lee Brennan fought hard against doughty opponents whilst Tony Kemp, Mark Smart, Phil Middleton, and Rob Pearce all did well in the loose with good support from Mark Curtis, Simon Watts, and Adrian Penney.

Behind the scrum, none worked harder than flu stricken Mark Bow in harmony with Steve Broome with Steve Richards and Russell John combining well at centre while Jon Aubrey, Dave Mason, and David Bird all helped to stem the tide that, at one time, threatened to sweep the visitors to a mammoth victory.

With such an unsatisfactory background, it was no surprise that the Seconds were unable to match Cowbridge and succumbed by 24-5 with Skipper Ieuan Moorcraft securing the home points with a fine try. That score did, in fact, give the Old Boys a temporary lead but the lack of numbers contributed to a final result that smacked of inevitability.

With the holiday period resulting in an enforced break, it is hoped that the present troubles can be overcome and that the New Year will see the players recover some of the enthusiasm that has recently disappeared. Some chance will be afforded on Monday next when the Veterans entertain their counterparts from Penarth RFC in the traditional match that kicks of at 11.30am.