October was a long, long month for the Old Boys (From Penarth Times)

October was a long, long month for the Old Boys

JOINT divisional leaders Bridgend Sports breezed into the Cwrt y Vil headquarters of Old Penarthian last weekend and boosted their own aspirations as well as dealing a devastating blow to the pride of the hosts by running in 7 tries in a 44-17 victory.

The mid-Glamorgan men brought to an end a disastrous month that saw Mark Smart's men lose four league matches and a friendly, conceding 205 points against 60.

Ironically, the Old Boys won 18-10 when the sides last met in January, but it was clear from the outset on this occasion the visitors were a vastly improved outfit.

The speed of thought, accuracy of handling, and communication amongst forwards and backs were lessons clearly learned on the training ground, an area that is currently foreign to Penarthian players.

Indeed, the hosts did show plenty of enthusiasm, and there was little sign that they were lacking in fitness compared with their opponents. But the errors in handling and defensive lack of organisation were instrumental in conceding far too many of the scores achieved by Bridgend, whilst costing the side points at the opposite end of the ground.

There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon, provided that the players themselves are up to the challenge.

October did provide the side with its severest test so far, whilst the month ahead is scheduled for just two fixtures, these being against comparatively weaker opponents in Deri and Rhiwbina.

The restricted calendar reflects the autumn international commitments, and does offer the opportunity for the side to knuckle down to the basic skills training available under the enthusiastic tutelage of coaches Tony Vagges and Tim O'Donnell. Watch this space!

It took just six minutes for the Sports to open their account on Saturday, flanker Gary Punter arcing across following a lineout on the right. Despite having been caught comparatively cold, the Old Boys responded with considerable energy and dominated the next quarter, earning just reward when centre Adrian Penny bustled his way over after fine initial work by Nick Vagges.

That good work was squandered in the space of five minutes of madness that saw the visitors secure three scores. Indiscipline was the cause of the penalty award that enabled full back Matthew Murphy to land the simplest of goals.

That was followed by the loss of a scrum against the head that saw three visiting men handle in fine style, before Murphy crossed for an unconverted try. Almost at once, an aimless kick ahead from the Old Boys gave possession to the Sports inside their own 25, and winger Gavin Pound showed pace and composure as he raced the length of the field for a marvellous individual score, that left a trail of defenders in his wake.

Penarthians returned to the attack, but both Mark Smart and Mark Curtis were denied as they tried to force their way over close to the posts. Successive tap penalty moves close to the corner might well have produced reward, but Simon Hennessey found himself held up inches short of the line, whilst skipper Smart was robbed of possession, allowing Sports to counter with a breakout that took a superb cover tackle from centre Tom Draper to deny the speedy Pound a second score.

The second half opened with Bridgend extending their lead with a try from no 8 Geraint Lewis, but the Penarthian attempts to restore the balance were frustrated by a period in which the lack of basic skills was sorely illustrated.

Indeed, that situation was seen in stark relief as five visiting backs handled with supreme confidence to put winger Chris Price in for a try converted by Murphy, whilst the outside half capitalised on gross indecision to touch down beneath the posts before then adding the conversion.

The Old Boys now threw caution to the wind, and Simon Davies made the most of a quick penalty from close to halfway to completely confound the cover for an excellent score that was converted by Tom Draper, whilst a similar tap move was taken up by the forwards to enable Lee Brennan to secure his third try of the season.

Yet again, however, the opposition had the last word, with centre Henry Jenkins racing 60 yards for another fine try that was converted by full back Murphy.

Skipper Mark Smart again did his best to instill life into the forwards, and was well supported by Dave Mason and Jamie Croll. Nick Vagges was a tower of strength in the loose, but the lineout partnership with Tony Kemp was not as fruitful as usual.

Peter Harry worked hard in the set scrums until replaced by Lee Brennan, but neither Andy Nourish nor Mark Curtis caught the eye as much as usual.

Behind the scrum, Simon Hennessey's foot injury caused inevitable disruption, whilst, although the midfield trio of Simon Davies, Adrian Penny, and Tom Draper all tried hard, there was a lack of co-ordination that restricted opportunity for the rest of the back division. Draper, in fact, suffered a nasty rib injury late in the game that could keep him out of action for some time.

EIGHT TRIES

If basic skills were in short supply on the main pitch, such was not the case on the second pitch where the Vets entertained a youthful Wick second string.

Whilst the visitors lacked nothing in youthful endeavour, they were simply unable to match the expertise of a Penarthian side that ran up eight tries in the 46-7 scoreline.

Jon Howell led the try-scoring list with a brace, whilst others came from Phil Brock, Mark Lloyd, John Colderley, Richie Commander, Steve Bowden and young Jonathan Crimp with Nigel Edmunds adding three conversions.

There were the usual cameo performances from the likes of Stuart Lewis, whilst Rob Boyd performed in his first game for more than 8 years in a manner that suggested that he had never been away.

The back row trio of Mark Lloyd, Mark Holder and David Martin might well be progressing in combined ages, but the know-how was there in abundance. As for Mike Goldsworthy and John Colderley, there is little doubt that they need only a little work on their fitness to ensure that they would be guaranteed a regular place in the Seconds!

Finally, a word for Jonathan Crimp and Stuart Clarke; The two 16-year-olds acquitted themselves superbly and will have benefited from playing in such experienced company. It is to be hoped that they can encourage others of similar age to try their luck in this excellent environment.