Theres a final flourish, but it wasnt Penarthians (From Penarth Times)

Theres a final flourish, but it wasnt Penarthians

HOPES that a final flourish would enable Old Penarthians to end a disappointing campaign in some style were washed away in the deluge that threatened to drown the village of Deri last Saturday.

It was ironic that a match of such importance to both sides should have been the subject of the worst weather conditions of the season, the torrential rain ensuring that the players were denied any real chance of producing quality football.

The two squads did their best and the match itself was played in a good spirit, the hosts finally deserving the margin of the 15 points to 10 success by virtue of the excellent try that was scored in the closing minutes, almost in defiance of the abysmal state to which the surface had deteriorated.

It goes without saying that the Old Boys were plagued by the now-customary selectorial problems, but the players did see the funny side of the dressing room situation that was to reveal that a tin of grey matt paint had been packed instead of the anticipated vaseline!

Outside half Gareth Hardacre opened the scoring when he landed a 30-yard penalty after just 10 minutes, Deri dominating those opening minutes as Penarthians struggled to find their feet in the sodden conditions.

Typifying the situation was the way in which Huw Williams fell to the ground as he abortively attempted to sidestep his way clear on the left.

The Old Boys almost took the lead when a forward drive from a scrummage rocked Deri back on their heels, only for the ball to be nudged forward as the visiting pack went for the pushover try.

As the end of the half approached, Tom Draper found touch in the left-hand corner from an excellent kick close to half way.

The hosts misjudged the throw that was unexpectedly won at the tail by Scott Hill, and in a flash Gavin Davies was over for the try that was converted by Draper to put the side ahead by 7 points to 3 at the break.

With conditions now deteriorating even further, it became a question of which side was to make the fewer mistakes.

The hosts were first to stamp their mark on the possible outcome when Penarthians failed to halt the drive from a scrum close to the line and number eight Chris Tembe barged his way over for the score. Fortunately, the fairly simple conversion attempt was wide of the mark.

Almost at once, a similar situation prevailed, but Tom Draper produced the tackle that prevented a seemingly certain score. Another chance went begging when Hardacre fired wide from close to the posts, but Tom Draper made a better fist of things at the opposite end when his 35-yard shot put Penarthians ahead by 10 points to 8.

Thus encouraged, the Old Boys took charge of proceedings, sensibly attempting to ensure that the game was played in home territory.

The policy, in fact, appeared to be paying off until just six minutes from the end. It was at this point that Deri opened up in speculative fashion from close to half way.

Not even the most fervent of their supporters held out much hope, but five players handled in excellent fashion, with winger Gareth Murray steadfastly keeping his head and his foothold as he raced over on the left for a fine try.

Perhaps the quality of the score deserved the bonus of the fine kick with which Gareth Hardacre converted from wide out.

While the Old Boys were disappointed not to have achieved at least a share of the spoils, there was comfort from a good performance up front.

Lee Brennan and Peter Harry held their own in the set scrums despite the loss of Nick Vagges through injury.

Tony Kemp and Darren Jones worked hard in the tight, while Ross Turpitt was in fine form on the flank in support of Mark Smart and Ryan Harper.

Behind the scrum, an injury to Gavin Davies while James Williams was feeling the effects of flu limited the attacking potential, but Tom Draper had a fine game, with Gareth Welford, Huw Williams, Ieuan Moorcraft, and Tim Broome all playing useful parts.

Scott Hill and Jonathan De Claire were useful subs, while Calum Harper might well have felt pleased that he was not used in such dire conditions.

l Away to Whitchurch, the Vets were made to work hard by youthful opponents, before experience carried the day in the 20 points to 15 score line.

Penarthians' points came from excellent tries by skipper Rob Crimp, Stuart Clarke, and Alun Haines, with Ben House adding a huge touchline conversion and Mark Bow landing a penalty.

Stuart Pyman's first outing for several years was an undoubted success, while Alun Haines was equally effective in a fine back row that was the cornerstone of a solid pack.

Behind the scrum, Mark Bow and Ben House were in control of affairs despite Stuart Lewis's disapproval of the latter's abortive drop goal attempt, while Stuart Clarke ran and tackled with great enthusiasm and expertise on the wing.

Colleagues were sympathetic of Lewis Drew, who was clearly out of sorts following the demise of his acting career when he was'killed off' as an extra during Doctor Who filming earlier in the week.

l Saturday sees the Firsts travel to Pontyclun for a league match timed to start at 1.30pm. It is hoped that a home fixture can be arranged for the Seconds that will kick off at the more sensible time of 2.30pm.