Heads held high, despite heavy loss (From Penarth Times)

Heads held high, despite heavy loss

Old Penarthians found themselves engaged in a week of frantic action as they near the end of the current campaign in Division 5 South East of the Lloyds TSB National league.

Wednesday's trip to probable champions Penallta was followed by a home clash to Ogmore Vale. But the frustrations of the club were reflected in the successive defeats that took the losing tally to seven, since victory was last tasted against Deri at the end of January.

At first glance, the 87-0 annihilation at the hands of Champions elect Penallta would seem to be an absolute disaster.

Certainly, the margin of defeat reflected the worst suffered at first team level in the 86-year history of the Old Penarthians.

Closer inspection, however, does reveal a brighter side.

The match itself was always going to be a major problem in that the reputation of the hosts had blunted the enthusiasm of too many Old Boys players.

As a consequence, acting Skipper Mark Smart found himself with just 15 players at kick-off time, one of whom, Lee Brennan, was carrying a shoulder injury that determined he would play only in dire emergency.

While that eventuality was dispelled when David Mason emerged from the depths of Ystrad Mynach to fill the final place, the absence of suitable front row cover meant that Penarthians were forced into uncontested scrums from the outset, together with the knowledge that no substitutes were allowed should any of the selected 15 suffer an injury.

From the start, Penarthians took play to the opposition with great enthusiasm and a greater composure might well have produced a score in those opening minutes.

Unfortunately, disaster was then to strike in the shape of the injury that meant that influential lock Tony Kemp was forced to retire, taking no further part in the game.

Still the side battled with determination, but the inevitable score came soon after and, even though Penallta were then kept at bay for a further 15 minutes, the floodgates opened either side of the half time break.

No fewer than seven tries were conceded in the space of 20 minutes, as the hosts ran riot. Opening up at every opportunity, Penallta revealed that they possessed a side full of fine footballers and, despite valiant defensive efforts, the visitors were stretched beyond reasonable limits.

There was no relief from the constant bombardment, but Mark Smart's men refused to throw in the towel. There was, however, no escaping the try deluge that was supplemented by the accurate place kicking, and the final whistle came as blessed relief for a Penarthians squad that had been forced to concede 13 tries, 11 of which had been converted.

Despite the enormous margin of the defeat, Penarthians were entitled to hold their heads high, a fact that was endorsed by referee Robert Mota of Cardiff.

The official took time out after the game to speak to the Penarthian players in their dressing room, congratulating them on the way that they had stuck to an impossible task and ending his address with an assurance that they had been a credit to themselves and a credit to their club.

Certainly, every player had given of his best and, if special mention is made of 50-year-old Phil Brock and 40- year-old Bob Denning, it is because space prevents the naming of the full side.

Several players returned for Saturday's game at home to Ogmore Vale and it was noticeable that a far better attitude prevailed over that evidenced at Rhiwbina a week earlier.

Certainly, the visitors were shocked by the well-executed move that saw full back Mark Bow speed through the cover for a try at the posts after only five minutes. Bow added the conversion to give the hosts a flying start.

Unfortunately, the lightweight home eight failed to curb a driving maul from Ogmore Vale ten minutes later and lock Gareth Card was credited with the touchdown that reduced the deficit to just two points.

Excellent running from Simon Davies, Mark Bow, and Steve Roberts should have produced a score for winger Ryan Harper, but the final pass went astray, a situation replicated at the start of the second half when Huw Williams took the edge off his own scintillating break by failing to find the supporting Mark Smart.

Mark Bow did, however, temporarily extend the lead when he landed an easy penalty goal, but Ogmore Vale levelled soon after when three men handled in fine fashion for flanker John Tilbury to cross at the corner for a good score.

The Old Boys then produced a purple patch that was rewarded by a brace of tries in just five minutes.

Mark Bow's tap penalty sent flanker Paul Kemp away on a decisive charge and Simon Davies sped away in support for a try at the left-hand flag. Bow was again to the fore in the next action, with Huw Williams carrying on the move before a jubilant Simon Davies raced clear for a touchdown at the posts that enabled Mark Bow to add the conversion that put Penarthians 22-10 ahead.

Time was now fast ebbing and, although Ogmore Vale began to press, it did seem that victory was beyond them.

Referee Gavin Roberts was now to play a crucial part. A series of penalty awards against the hosts culminated with the sin binning of prop Mark Curtis in the 40th minute of the half.

Mr Roberts calculated that ten minutes of injury time applied and this was sufficient for the visitors to turn pressure into points, tries falling to Gareth Dunn and John Tilbury.

Further fuel was added to the controversy when, as part of the two conversions added by centre Anthony Williams, it was seen that the ball for the first had been held in place by a spectator, entirely contrary to the laws of the game.

Penarthians will be hoping for a change of fortune for the final games of the season.

The campaign has already started, with the visit to Deri on Wednesday of this week, while the side travels to Canton on Saturday for a match kicking off at 2.30pm.

The final league game is on Wednesday next, when Penallta are the visitors, kick-off 6.30pm.