Fixture under threat again due to variables (From Penarth Times)

Fixture under threat again due to variables

Old Penarthians' hopes of returning to action this weekend are hanging by a thread at the time that these notes are being published. Clearly, the arctic weather conditions remain a crucial factor and it could well be that the projected trip to Rhiwbina will have to be postponed again if it snows.

Not that that scenario is the sole threat to a match originally scheduled for the end of September but postponed due to the Konica Minolta cup commitments that took precedence at the time.

Having agreed this weekend's revised date some months ago with his Rhiwbina opposite number, Fixture Secretary Peter Goodfellow was astonished to discover a message on his answering machine indicating that the Cardiff-based opponents were unable to field a side due to a wedding within the club.

From an Old Boys point of view, the situation is totally unacceptable, the more so since the recent defeat at home to Deri was partially due to the weakness of the side on a day that clashed with the wedding of former skipper Chris Dacey. Secretary Tony Crimp has wasted no time in putting the Penarthians' protest to the governing body.

It is a fact that the Union has taken positive steps in recent times to try to ensure that fixture schedules are properly maintained. The loophole that previously existed and which permitted postponement on the grounds of an incomplete front row formation has been closed.

An even greater danger is present at grass root level in the fragmented nature of the league programmes that exists as the result of the extended international curriculum.

Just ten years ago, the Old Boys senior side was committed to some 33 games in a season. Rarely was a Saturday missed, those days associated with internationals invariably involving a morning match.

This term, Mark Smart's men are involved in a 12-team league now reduced to 10 following the disbandment of Canton and Blaengarw. As a consequence, only 18 league games are involved which, together with one cup match and one friendly, will bring the total up to 20.

Should the Rhiwbina match take place on Saturday, Penarthians will have been in action on only two Saturdays in November with a similar total planned for December.

Penarthian supporters will have been surprised to witness the appearance of lock forward Andy Nourish on BBC Wales TV bulletins earlier this week. Perhaps the need for rehearsals is the reason for his regular absences from the side in recent weeks.

Clearly the same cannot be said for partner Tony Kemp who has been available every week without fail without even the hint of a TV appearance.

Sadness

There was sadness in the Club this week with the news that former front row forward John Cross had passed away in Minehead at the prematurely age of 55.

Big "Crossey" had been a charismatic player in the 70s and 80s, combining a rumbustious approach on the field with the larger than life attitude off it that had ensured that he was always the most popular of tourists.

Although he moved away from the town a decade or so ago, he has always remained in touch and arrangements are being made for a funeral service and burial in Penarth with his many friends expected to congregate afterwards at the Old Penarthians Club. Full details will be announced shortly.