Coachs comments best not printed in a family paper! (From Penarth Times)

Coachs comments best not printed in a family paper!

IT MAY well have been just a friendly fixture but, for Old Penar-thians coach Tony Vagges, the performance of his first team away to Bryn-cethin last Saturday was totally unacceptable.

The promise of the early games was dissipated in the space of an appalling 80 minutes that saw the Old Boys concede no fewer than nine tries against opponents seeking to achieve WRU status while operating from within the confines of the Bridgend and District Union.

Certainly, the views expressed by the disenchanted coach from behind locked doors and immediately after the debacle are not for general publication, but the players were left in no doubt that far greater commitment is required from individuals seeking to cement their places in the club's senior side.

To be fair to the hosts, they showed themselves to be a more than useful outfit, with a well-knit pack of forwards supplying clean and accurate ball for an enterprising and highly penetrative back division.

Bryncethin had, of course, been featured a week earlier in the BBC's Scrum V programme when they had hosted and defeated North Wales opponents Bala in the first round of the Konica Minolta Cup competition.

Nevertheless, it was not unreasonable for Penarthi-ans to have expected a far better result than was reflected in the 55-21 defeat that is clearly the worst so far this season.

The Old Boys had first use of the considerable slope that was a feature of an otherwise good pitch and it was essential that they made use of that advantage during the opening session.

Unfortunately, the writing was on the wall almost at once as lively centre Roddy Davies crossed for two fine tries in the space of the opening four minutes of the game, the second of these coming from a 50-yard chase after a Penarthians attack had broken down.

The visitors did respond with a fine score of their own when a Tony Kemp drive was well supported by Simon Davies, before skipper Mark Smart burst over for a try converted by Dean Grech.

Worse was to follow as Davies crossed for an astonishing third try after just 17 minutes, while the 70-yard solo effort from left wing Russell John, again following the breakdown of useful approach work from Penarthians' Dean Grech, Gavin Davies, and Ryan Harper, supplemented a brace of conversions from scrum half Lloyd Jenkins to put the Mid Glamorgan men ahead 24-7 at the break.

Pedestrian Penarthians were again caught napping at the start of the second half when Davies inevitably took advantage from a tap penalty for yet another score, converted this time by Jenkins.

Suddenly, however, the visitors snapped into gear, albeit temporarily, forcing their opponents on to the back foot and producing two excellent scores in a very short period.

Mark Smart set up the charge from some 15 yards and great support came from prop Lee Brennan who crossed for his second try in successive matches, Gavin Davies supplying the extra points.

The lineout possession from Tony Kemp on the right was well used by Gavin Davies to link with Dean Grech and the outside half arced beautifully through the cover for a delightful score that was also converted by Gavin Davies, to narrow the gap to just 10 points.

But it was too good to last. From the restart, the ball was dropped within the 25 and the defence never recovered as Russell John took advantage of poor tackling to cross at the corner, Andrew Beasley converting.

Minutes later, even weaker tackling allowed number 8 Paul Evans to brush aside a veritable clutch of players as he secured his touchdown, while substitute lock Jim Smith showed a fine turn of pace as he raced in from 30 yards on the right.

Perhaps fittingly, it was Man of the Match Roddy Davies who had the final word, the centre securing a fifth try just before the end, with Andrew Beasley compounding the Penarthians' misery with the conversion that took his side's tally to 55.

This was a poor performance from an Old Boys squad notwithstanding the absence of several leading players.

Skipper Smart did his best to set an example and was the pick of the pack, with Nick Vagges adding energetic support and Ed Morgan working hard. Dean Grech showed some useful touches and was the scorer of a fine try, while Gavin Davies was solid at full back, but otherwise the defensive frailties of the backs were costly in the extreme.

SECONDS THRASHED

At Cwrt y Vil, the Seconds were surprised to find themselves in opposition to opponents originally scheduled for the Firsts.

Canton have opted out of WRU competition for the season, but still managed to field a side that was far too strong for the Old Boys, the visitors triumphing 54-0.

In a clearly one-sided encounter, points of interest for the Old Boys centred around a long delayed return to action for a sturdier Simon Bowden and the shock dismissal of touch judge Nigel Williams after an uncharacteristic altercation with the referee.

THIRDS WIN

Sole success of the afternoon came from the Thirds, who entertained lively tourists in Wrexham Stags.

The visitors arrived in fancy dress for their weekend away and it really was a case of what shall we do with the drunken sailors!

For all of that, the game was thoroughly enjoyed by both sides, with Penarthians particularly pleased at fielding three sides.

While the result was largely irrelevant, Penarthians won by 65-5, with tries from Jon Howell (3), Mark Bow (2), Ben House, Jon Barry, Nick Barry, and Rob Crimp.

Nigel Edmunds and Mike Goldsworthy also touched down, while Edmunds kicked four conversions and Goldsworthy one.

The score might well have been greater had Colin Campbell not touched down short of the line and Rob Crimp's triple failure to hold on to scoring passes led to a similar family shortcoming when young Jonathan Crimp was later introduced to the action.

l Saturday sees the Firsts return to league action with a difficult trip to pace-setters Porth. The Seconds host CIACs at Cwrt y Vil, both kick-offs at 2.30pm.