Something to cheer amid sixth loss in row (From Penarth Times)

Something to cheer amid sixth loss in row

FOR OLD Penarthians, it was the disappointment of a sixth successive league defeat, but for veteran prop forward Mark Curtis it was a day to remember.

Play was already into time added on in last Saturday's ASDA National League clash at Cefn Coed and the hosts were close to victory with a 20 points to 3 score line in their favour.

Although faced with the certain prospect of another setback, the Old Boys were nevertheless playing with commendable spirit and the home line was under intense pressure.

Successive thrusts involving Ross Turpitt, Darren Jones, and Tony Kemp were thwarted by some resolute tackling from opponents reduced to 14 men with the sin binning of lock Julian Vaughan. Then a break on the left saw Chris Dacey narrowly fail to link with Huw Williams, before the ball went into touch close to the 25. Penarthians gained possession, a gap opened up, and a triumphant Curtis was seen sprinting the 15 yards to the touchdown - his first senior touchdown in the 114 games that he has played since his 1st XV debut in 1994.

With a superb touchline conversion from Gavin Davies adding the icing to the Curtis cake, the try will, no doubt, go down in the club annals as one of the most popular in recent times.

Albeit yet another defeat for Mark Smart's men, this was one of their better performances against opponents beaten only once this term and, with games in hand, snapping on the heels of the leaders in Division 5 South East.

Penarthians, however, remain firmly fixed within the bottom two and are now without action until the New Year, when it will be vital for them to achieve winning ways if they are to improve their position.

Particularly galling for the side is the fact that, having conceded an early score when centre Alun Bevan raced through a gap as wide as a barn door for a simple try that was converted by outside half Ross Turner, the Old Boys dominated territorially for the remainder of the opening half.

Unfortunately, the lack of a cutting edge ensured that they were denied points until the closing minutes of the session, when a powerful charge by number 8 Darren Jones saw the ball released to Gavin Davies, for the outside half to land an opportunist drop goal.

Not that the cause was helped by an unusually inefficient performance at the set pieces. Nick Vagges was living proof of the fact that the after effects of a works'Christmas do' does little to help with the accuracy of lineout throw-in, while set scrum ball was inevitably slowed up by an unnecessary concentration on back row moves that were not always fruitful.

In the second half, however, the hosts upped their work rate considerably and the Old Boys were increasingly under pressure as the weeks of inactivity took their toll.

Nevertheless, it took 23 minutes before Cefn increased their lead, winger Dave Regis crossing at the corner after a scrum 10 yards out. Outside half Ross Turner then added a drop goal, before the hosts completed their tally when lock Julian Vaughan was given the benefit of a dodgy touchdown as the home forwards piled in on the left.

It was at this point that the Old Boys discovered a second wind, with Chris Dacey and Simon Hennessey among several causing problems for the Cefn Coed defence in the final onslaught that reduced the margin in the final 20-10 score line.

Darren Jones, Mark Smart and David Mason worked hard in a useful Penarthian back row, while Ross Turpitt caught the eye in the later stages with some deft touches on his first outing of the term.

Andy Nourish and Tony Kemp were sound in the second row, while front row forwards Lee Brennan, Mark Curtis, and Nick Vagges battled bravely, even though the latter lacked some of his usual energy.

Behind the scrum, Simon Davies was his usual aggressive self until smitten by late injury, while brother Gavin did his best to get the line moving. This was, however, not always possible although both Chris Dacey and Simon Hennessey defended well in the centre.

Huw Williams and James Williams were eager wings with little real opportunity in attack, while John Aubrey again was reliable at full back.

SECONDS WIN

At Cwrt-y-vil, the Seconds produced a fine performance to defeat a lively and extremely youthful Cathays HSOB side by 19 points to 13.

With places up for grabs in the side for the Boxing Day veterans clash with neighbours Penarth, several of the more senior players took the opportunity to catch the eye of sole selector Rob Crimp.

Certainly, it has to be said that the talent within the back division would have done justice to the Firsts, with Nigel Edmunds and Mike Goldsworthy slotting in well together while John Colderley showed several examples of his magic, one of which left his opposite number clutching thin air as the centre raced effortlessly through for a super solo try.

Mark Bow capitalised on a fine tackle from Mark Lloyd to run the length of the field for another great try that was not tarnished by the slowing of pace evidenced in the latter stages. While Ben House was well pleased with his touchdown, Nigel Edmunds adding the conversions that completed the home tally.

Others to do well in a side that showed commendable spirit and enthusiasm were Gary Carpenter and Lewis Drew up front and Paul Aubrey, Jon Howell, and Mike Cummings behind.

A true measure of the performance, however, was the fact that Jon Vaughan, Chris Davies, and Gareth Boulton each completed a game for probably the first time this season.

This weekend, the sole club fixture is the Seconds' league game against Old Howardians, kick off 2.30pm at Cwrt y vil.