Weekend win for boys in blue (From Penarth Times)

Weekend win for boys in blue

FOLLOWING the weekend of mourning that comprised the opening matches of the Six Nations tournament, Old Penarthians themselves return to torrid action this Saturday when the Firsts resume their campaign in the ASDA National League Division 5 South East.

For Mark Smart and his men, the visit to Waterton Cross need not normally have posed too many difficulties for hosts South Wales Police have seen their season collapse in the face of the five defeats that have been recorded in the six outings since the beginning of December.

The boys in blue will, however, have taken heart from the fact that the latest game was a 65 points to 12 success away to bottom club Deri.

In the meantime, the Old Boys remain in the depths of despair as they struggle to put behind them the disappointment of yet another poor season.

Once again the odds seem to be against them with regular senior players in scrum half Simon Davies and lock Tony Kemp doomed to lengthy spells of touchline inactivity as the result of recent injuries.

Making matters worse is the news that utility player Simon Hennessey, Club Skipper last term, has moved from the area following a change in his domestic circumstances and is likely to be playing his future rugby from the Penygraig area.

The loss of such experienced players can only be offset by a change in heart from those remaining for there is little doubt that results could be dramatically improved by a serious attendance in training over the weeks immediately ahead.

The playing programme remains largely disrupted by the international campaign that holds sway until the end of March.

But the Penarthian opponents during the period are such that, should the players achieve the mind-set necessary to produce the enthusiasm needed, victories could well be achieved against not only the Police but also Ferndale and Deri, thus providing a boost to confidence for the final matches in April.

The First team game at Waterton Cross kicks off at 2.30pm.

In the meantime, the Cwrt-y-Vil spotlight falls on the Vets who are entertaining their Whitchurch counterparts in a match that is similarly timed to commence at 2.30pm.