Old Pens enjoy tour game (From Penarth Times)

Old Pens enjoy tour game

WITH just three league fixtures remaining before a disastrous season is finally put to bed, Old Penarthians took advantage of a free weekend to undertake a brief tour of the West Country, basing themselves at Newquay and undertaking just the one fixture at nearby Perranporth - rather than Polperro, as erroneously indicated by this correspondent in last week's report.

While not at full strength, the squad contained a number of players with recent first team experience and could well have secured a welcome win had it not been for the effects of a strenuous Friday night and some questionable decisions from a referee, who could scarce be criticised as he hailed from Newport, Gwent!

Nevertheless, it was a game thoroughly enjoyed by both sides, with the hosts coming from behind to win by 32 points to 28.

Brilliant sunshine was the order of the day as the Old Boys reached the Perran-porth ground, where they found a surface that was not of the highest order.

Indeed, such was the nature of the many potholes present that one wondered whether the site had recently been used for tin mining.

Making matters worse was the fact that Lewis Drew collided with the pitch surround during the course of the warm-up and was not at his best thereafter.

Another to fall by the wayside was Simon Davies, who suffered a foot injury that decreed that he could take no further part after just 20 minutes of the opening half.

Those incidents apart, Penarthians could not have wished for a better start.

Number 8 Tony Kemp caused consternation in the Perranporth ranks with an outrageous dummy, before handing on to Simon Davies for the inside half to sprint over at the posts, Gavin Davies adding the extra points to create a seven-point lead in as many minutes.

Almost at once, that lead was doubled. The hosts lost possession inside their own half, Calum Harper was on it in a flash and, hacking the loose ball forward, won the race for the touchdown, with Gavin Davies again adding the extra points.

It was, however, too good to last.

Chairman Mel Jones, making a rare appearance at full back, was clearly still smarting from the unkind comments that had been directed at him the previous day when the tourists realised that he had booked them into a five-star doss house.

Certainly, his concentration was amiss when he was panicked into conceding the five-yard scrum that enabled the home number 8 to power his way over for an unconverted try.

In the 15th minute, a speculative kick from the ten-yard line bounced badly for Calum Harper, but into the path of the Perranporth full back who romped over for his touchdown.

A third successive Pen-arthian error saw Gavin Davies robbed at a ruck when he attempted to run without the support of his colleagues.

Again, the home number 8 did the damage, before sending the winger over near the posts for a try that was converted to put the side three points clear.

The departure of Simon Davies saw Bob Denning take over at centre.

A superb cover tackle from Tony Kemp then saved a certain try, but another charge from the number 8 exposed defensive frailties and the home winger crossed to put his side ahead by 22 points to 14 at the break.

Changes were frequent in the second session and it was clear that the Old Boys were not quite at peak fitness.

Nevertheless, probably inspired by the half-time lager that replaced the customary oranges, James Williams made a marvellous run from halfway to score the try that with Gavin Davies's conversion, narrowed the gap to a single point.

The loss of a scrum against the head allowed Perran-porth to construct another try for the wing and, from the restart, excellent mauling set up the back move that produced a try for the number ten.

But it was Penarthians who were to have the last word.

A series of quick penalties saw successive charges before the ball was finally moved to James Williams who again showed his pace as he crossed for an excellent try that was superbly converted by Gavin Davies.

With Tony Kemp and Nick Vagges the pick of the pack, Penarthians were also well served by Mark Curtis and Jed Lloyd.

Behind the scrum, James Williams and Calum Harper caught the eye, but Simon Davies was missed, while Bob Denning would be well advised to return to the pack and Mel Jones should not bank on winning his First team colours tie this century.

l Saturday sees the side return to league action with a difficult fixture away to Rhiwbina that kicks off at 2.30pm.

Details regarding reserve team fixtures have yet to be finalised.