Old Boys strength is displayed in victory (From Penarth Times)

Old Boys strength is displayed in victory

OLD PENARTHIANS opened their campaign in Division 5 South East of the ASDA National league with a comfortable 33 points to 7 victory at home to Ogmore Vale last Saturday.

While the five-try margin of the win afforded some recompense for the double defeat at the hands of the same opponents last term, Mark Smart and his men will be aware of the several shortcomings that meant the performance fell some way short of the standards demanded by coaches, Tony Vagges and Tim O'Donnell.

With impressive newcomer Dean Grech unavailable, Gavin Davies stepped in as outside half to partner brother Simon, whilst university student, Tom Draper, was given a debut outing in the centre.

In the forwards Mark Curtis and Andy Nourish were amongst several unexpected choices as the coaches laid selectorial emphasis on attendance at training during the pre-match build-up.

Playing away from the clubhouse, it became clear from the outset that the Old Boys were a stronger outfit than a young Ogmore Vale squad.

However, the wrong choice of options allied to some slipshod handling saw several chances go astray before the opening score in the 15th minute.

A visiting offence was penalised and the hosts went for the lineout at the corner. Tony Kemp provided the initial possession and the forwards piled in to drive skipper Mark Smart over for the touchdown. Simon Davies neatly added the extra points.

Despite this score, the Old Boys still lacked direction in their efforts and had only themselves to blame when the Ogwr Valley side levelled on the half hour. The penalty was awarded close to the 25 but, with the defence far too casual in taking up position, scrum half Nicky Hughes took the tap and sped clear of the cover for an opportunist score that was converted by centre and Skipper Simon Milton.

Penarthians responded with some good play at the opposite end but an attempted kick and chase from Gavin Davies was too strongly struck to be productive. Tom Draper was next in the action with a fine probe that was well supported by Tony Kemp before Mark Smart was sent over for his second try to put the hosts five points clear at the break.

The second half began with the Old Boys on the attack. Simon Davies's blindside probe from a scrum led to a penalty that saw Chris Dacey power his way over for a touchdown at the posts which was converted by Gavin Davies.

The usual spate of substitutions followed without improving the quality of play and it was of concern to see the obvious frustrations of the hosts manifest themselves in an inexcusable lack of discipline that was instrumental in the squandering of several possible scores.

Fortunately, two sublime pieces of handling eased the frenetic home effort, prefacing a scrum close to the 25 that saw Chris Dacey again on the charge before his reverse pass sent Gavin Davies scampering across at the posts for a try that he also converted.

Unfortunately, when Davies returned the compliment after approach work by David Mason and Mark Smart, Dacey just failed to ground the ball. The end was now at hand when Dave Mason again went on the charge on the left.

The pass sent Huw Williams clear and seemingly en route for the posts and his first try of the senior season. In a moment of madness that could well have proved costly, he passed up his own chance to hand on to Skipper Smart who completed his hat trick with a try, converted by Gavin Davies.

Whilst there was obvious joy at such a clear-cut start to the season, concern was felt at the lack of domination exerted by a pack that was physically stronger than the opposition.

Certainly, there were too many occasions when the work was undertaken by individuals rather than the combined effort that will surely be needed against stronger opponents.

Nevertheless, Skipper Smart has reason to be pleased with his five try contribution, Jamie Croll again made his presence felt with strong tackling, and Simon Hennessey did some useful work, especially in the first half.

Tony Kemp won customary lineout ball and ran well in the loose but Andy Nourish was the harder worker in the tight with Nick Veggas a live wire in the front row where Jason Lloyd and Mark Curtis added strength to set pieces.

Stuart Gunnarsson's colourful appearance added bulk when he replaced Nourish, almost scoring on arrival, and Gareth Shaw's shoulder again survived his second half contribution.

Behind the scrum, Simon Davies lacked sharpness and the partnership with brother Gavin did not fire on all four cylinders.

But there was the promise of a useful midfield partnership between Chris Dacey and Tom Draper although greater use could have been made of wingers Huw Williams and Ieuan Moorcraft and the enterprise of full back John Aubrey. Both David Mason and Mark Sadler came on too late to have any major impact to the game.

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