Late withdrawals and on-pitch injuries big factor in latest defeat (From Penarth Times)

Late withdrawals and on-pitch injuries big factor in latest defeat

Old Penarthians 10

Ferndale 20

NOT for the first time this term - and probably not the last - Old Penarthians Firsts flattered to deceive as they suffered yet another defeat in Division 5 South East of the National league.

The 20-10 victory gave visitors Ferndale the season's double.

Once again, the hosts suffered from the now-customary late withdrawals, Mark Bow and Phil Middleton being the culprits on this occasion.

As a consequence, skipper Simon Hennessey switched from the back row to take up the scrum half position, with Adrian Ball switching to the pack to allow Ryan Harper to take over the vacated wing slot.

Old Boys struck a major blow with a score after nine minutes.

The ball was moved across the backs from left to right and Ryan Harper was put in possession not far from touch.

Simon Davies blasted up from full back in support and his run provided the perfect decoy when Harper threw an outrageous dummy that was bought by all including Davies, before he strolled the 30 yards for an amazing score that put his side five points clear.

The loss of Gareth Shaw through a recurrence of an old shoulder injury was a major disruption, for, although Spencer Haus was an adequate replacement at prop, Mark Curtis was not the specialist hooker that the side needed.

With neither side offering much in the way of attacking potential, the hosts maintained their lead until a penalty, awarded in the second minute of stoppage time, enabled centre Daniel Phillips to slot a simple penalty goal from barely 15 yards.

The second half began with Penarthians showing the greater urgency, as Gareth Welford and Steve Roberts went through their paces in midfield.

Adrian Ball set up a fine move with his break from the 25, Simon Hennessey twice and Huw Williams adding support before Simon Davies fell to an excellent cover tackle close to the corner.

Almost at once, play switched to the opposite end and Ferndale showed the better finishing when a back row move from a 25-yard scrum saw winger Paul Thomas cross easily at the corner. Daniel Phillips added the extra points with a superb touchline kick.

A further change saw Gareth Welford replaced by Lewis Drew, before a David Mason break saw play held up short of the line. Soon after, a lineout in the corner offered a chance.

Although it appeared that the ball had been clearly knocked forward, David Mason was scarcely likely to argue when his touchdown was allowed, thus tying the scores.

Clearly upset by this decision, Ferndale swarmed to the opposite end and centre Gerwyn Davies ran powerfully to create midfield havoc, before Phillips again edged the side ahead with a 23rd minute penalty.

Gareth Boulton came on to replace the hobbling Simon Davies, who finally succumbed to an ankle injury, although not before producing a try-saving tackle close to the line. But the side was in trouble again when Lewis Drew was sin-binned.

At this point, Red Nose Friday turned into red-faced Saturday for Huw Williams as, when the ball squirted away from a scrum close to the line, the tricky bounce completely eluded the winger's desperate attempts to minor, allowing flank forward Ashley Cornelius to touch down to the right of the posts and afford Phillips the simplest of conversions that extended the visiting lead to 10 points.

Steve Roberts was unlucky that his superb break on the right did not produce a score, but credit was due to the defender who successfully cut him down close to the corner.

The break itself almost came to nought, as Phillips attempted a trip that was spotted by the referee and saw the centre sent to the sin bin.

The match ended painfully for Ferndale's Nathan Bevan, who sadly dislocated his knee in a three-man collision that involved Penarthians' David Mason in innocuous fashion.

Saturday's Grand Slam match in Cardiff means that the sides are not in action this weekend, the next game being a visit to Blaengarw on March 26.