Cockles well warmed (From Penarth Times)

Cockles well warmed

Old Penarthians 53

Old Howardians 0

IT MAY well have been a bitterly cold afternoon at Cwrt y vil last Saturday, but both Old Penarthians and Old Howardians produced a display of festive fare that was enough to warm the cockles of the hearts of the hardy faithful gathered on the touchlines for the final Cardiff and District league game of 2005.

Both sides contrived to run the ball at every opportunity, with the visitors making a contribution to the game that was not reflected in the 53-0 score line that gave victory to the hosts for the second successive Saturday.

The fixture was, of course, a second team commitment but, with the senior side sidelined yet again following the withdrawal of Blaengarw, the presence of several first team players appeared not to weaken a side that was anxious to build on the success achieved seven days earlier.

The enthusiasm spilled over into a second week and the fact that the side secured nine touchdowns in the final tally was a tribute to some fine running and a clinical approach to finishing.

Howardians, for their part, never gave up trying, but it has to be said that the many handling errors reflected behind the scrum cost them dearly, not only in terms of their own failure to score but also the way in which that loss of possession was turned to good use by the eager Penarthian foragers.

It took only a few moments for the hosts to give notice of their intent. Huw Williams, featuring in the unfamiliar role of full back for the afternoon, set off on a mazy run that threatened to confuse even himself as he speedily threaded his way through the visiting cover to take play deep into the 25.

The forwards piled in, to support and the ball was released for scrum half Mark Bow to cross for a fine but unconverted try.

Mark Curtis's hopes of repeating his try-scoring exploit of the previous Saturday came to an end when, after just 13 minutes, he was forced to retire with a bloodied nose that necessitated Peter Harry taking over for the rest of the game.

The changeover was barely complete when the hosts repeated the scoring dose.

Mark Smart led the charge into the 25 where five others handled before Tony Kemp snapped up a pass 15 yards out to complete an unstoppable run that took him over beneath the posts for a try, converted by Mark Bow.

For long periods thereafter, play continued on an end-to-end basis, with neither side achieving complete dominance.

With the interval approaching, however, the Old Boys extended their lead.

This time the move stemmed from a lineout on the left. Possession was moved into the midfield, where centre Adrian Penny chose the correct angle to race clean though for a fine try, Mark Bow again adding the extra points to put his side 19 points clear at the break.

Mike Cummings stepped down at the break in favour of Jon Howell. Penarthians resumed in the second half at top speed, with two scores within the first four minutes.

Mark Bow and Ben House twice combined within the 25 in the build-up that led to flanker Scott Hill crossing on the left for the early try, also converted by Mark Bow.

This was immediately followed by an enterprising break-out from Howardians that sadly proved to be disastrous when the ball fell loose outside their 25.

Penarthians' wing James Williams was on it in a flash and his speed off the mark was too much for the cover and he crossed for an excellent try at the corner.

Jon Howell took over the kicking duties from Mark Bow but missed the conversion attempt.

Changes saw Chris Davies and Kevin Francis replace Ross Turpitt and Scott Hill respectively and Francis celebrated only his second outing of the season with a try within minutes of his arrival.

Chris Dacey then capitalised on a visiting turnover when he raced in from 25 yards.

At this point, Howardians were wilting so visibly that it was considered safe to allow Robert Crimp to replace Huw Williams but that change played no part in the excellent try scored by Chris Dacey after the centre had combined with Ben House, Mark Bow adding the extras.

The Veterans' skipper did, however, make subtle use of the presence of both Dacey and Howell, as he strolled in for the final try of the day.

This fine team performance owed much to the work of the forwards, who supplied excellent set-piece ball, with Lewis Drew displaying fine handling skills at the linesout, where Mark Smart and Tony Kemp also did well.

Lee Brennan, Nick Vagges, and Peter Harry were strong in the scrums, while Scott Hill and Ross Turpitt were ready foraging allies for skipper Smart in broken play.

The constant cajoling of scrum half Mark Bow may have had a deafening effect on the spectators, but it kept his side in constant touch with matters in hand.

Ben House proved to be an enthusiastic link once he realised that there was rarely a gap wide enough for him to penetrate, while Chris Dacey's power was ever in evidence with excellent support from Adrian Penny, allowing James Williams, Huw Williams, and Jon Howells to readily display their running skills.

Boxing Day's clash of the Veterans is the only match scheduled for the holiday period and this much-awaited fixture is scheduled for an 11am kick off at Penarth Athletic Field.