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Vintage year for Old Pens' Sevens!
THE SUN shone, the crowds came, the players performed, and Old Penarthians
were left in no doubt that the 59th staging of the oldest Sevens in Wales
had produced probably the best competition in recent times.
There had, of course, been nervous moments for tournament organiser Alan
Vaughan in the weeks leading up to the event. Llanishen HSOB were the first
to discover that they were unable to raise a side.
Their withdrawal was followed by that of St Josephs OB who were thrust into
the sudden death situation of the 15-a-side play-off match that would
determine whether or not they gained promotion to Division 4 of the National
League.
Finally, a serious illness involving the wife of the team manager resulted
in Cardiff University withdrawing only days before the event.
Ospreys Academy had already expressed an interest on behalf of their
youngsters, hence the inclusion of Young Ospreys.
Old Penarthians John Colderley volunteered to raise a team of golden oldies
which accounted for the appearance of Old Penarthians WOTS, the initials
standing for Well Over Thirties. Finally, the absence of any other reserve
sides forced the hosts to rely on their own resources by fielding a B side.
Sadly, that B side was badly let down by the various individuals who made
themselves unavailable at the very last moment and it was to the credit of
the youngsters who gamely stepped up to the mark but without preparation to
face the challenge of defending champions Ysgol Glantaf OB in the very first
match of the afternoon.
It was, of course, too much to expect a miracle but the youngsters, albeit
outclassed, were not disgraced despite the 9-try avalanche that featured in
their 59-0 defeat.
That opening extravaganza was, in fact, a portent of things to come and the
sun drenched spectators were treated to an afternoon of running rugby that
yielded no fewer that 103 tries in the total of 679 points that told the
tale before the tournament trophies were finally presented by Wales
international and Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Robinson shortly after 7pm.
The final itself was an excellent affair with newcomers Young Ospreys
revealing themselves to be a talented squad, registering early scores
through Tom Lampard (2) and Matthew Jarvis plus a brace of conversions from
Jarvis before James Hadfield eventually opened the account of opponents
Cardiff HSOB with a try that was converted by Paul Adams.
The West Walians, however, consolidated their position just on the break
with a 4th try, this time from Liam Powell, to lead 24-7 at the change of
ends.
Anxious to add to their tally of 7 previous wins at the event, the High
School came out with all guns blazing after the break and proved to be a
different kettle of fish.
Indeed the touchdowns from Ian Carter, Lincoln Plummer, and Paul Adams plus
conversions from Plummer and Adams enabled the Cardiff side to shade the
second half in a 19-14 scoreline. But Powell and Lampard finally earned the
honours for the Ospreys with tries that were converted by Jarvis and Lampard
himself, the 38-26 final score taking the youngsters to the title at the
first time of asking with 17-year-old outside half Matthew Jarvis earning
the accolade as the Player of the Tournament.
Earlier, spectators were treated to two outstanding semi-final games with
the clash between Young Ospreys and Penarthians WOTs providing an intriguing
clash of youth and experience.
The first half tries scored by Ryan Baylis were both converted by Jarvis and
the 14-point advantage suggested that the senior side could not recover.
In the event, that was a fact not conveyed to the WOTs who responded in fine
style as former Wales international Jason Forster burst over at the left
hand corner for Kevin Ellis to convert superbly.
Almost at once, former Pontypool wing Lenny Woodard showed a clean pair of
heels to the flagging cover and his touchdown at the posts was again
converted by Ellis to send the tie into sudden death extra time.
Play had scarce resumed when a jubilant Rory Pitman discovered that he had
the legs on former British Lion Allan Bateman and he crossed for the score
that gave Ospreys the tie by 21 points to 14.
The second semi final was equally absorbing with the Warriors, comfortable
winners of earlier ties against Caerphilly and Fire Service, taking the lead
with a converted try. Cardiff HSOB however, fought back well to lead 10-7
at the break through tries by Ian Carter and the speedy Lincoln Plummer.
Mike Davies's unconverted try gave Warriors a tenuous lead in the second
half but James Hadfield raced clear for a fine score that was converted by
Andrew Carlson to put the High School into the final for a record 11th time.
WOTs created a major second round surprise as tries from Karl Hocking, Lenny
Woodard, Andrew Williams, and Kevin Ellis laid the base for the 26-12 defeat
of much fancied Ysgol Glantaf OB whilst Ospreys, earlier cantering to a 43-0
demolition of Old Penarthians A, comfortably came from behind to account for
Cardiff and District by 33 points to 14.
A disappointing aspect of the day was the failure of the host's sides to
create an impact. The B side, supplemented by a couple of University players
in the Plate event, led Llanrumney by 19 points at the interval. A nap hand
of tries from the Cardiff side negated that situation in the second half and
Llanrumney triumphed by 27 points to 19.
There was, however, better news of the A's who trailed Pontyclun by 3 tries
to a Dave Gilbert touchdown and conversion at half time in their Plate
match.
A second half rally produced excellent converted tries from Chris Roberts
(2) and Chris Poole to see the side through to the semi-final by 28 points
to 15.
There they came up against a rampant Llanrumney side who triumphed by 24
points to 14 before going on to demolish Caerphilly GSOB by 50 points to 19
in the final.
Penarthians semi final tries were again scored by Chris Roberts who shared
the conversion tally with Scott McCarthy.
Full results: Main event round one: Ysgol Glantaf OB 59, Old Penarthians B
0; Llanrumney HSOB 7, Old Pens WOTs 26; Old Penarthians A 0, Young Ospreys
43; Cardiff and District OB 52, Pontyclun OB 7; Warriors 28, Caerphilly GSOB
22; Old Breconians 7, Fire Service OB 22; Cardiff HSOB 56, Cowbridge GSOB 7;
Old Cantonians 24, Old Illtydians 26.
Second round: Ysgol Glantaf OB 12, Old Pens WOTs 26; Young Ospreys 33,
Cardiff and District O.B. 14; Warriors 24 Fire Service OB12: Cardiff HSOB
39, Old Illtydians 7.
Semi finals: Old Pens WOTs 14, Young Ospreys 19 (AET); Warriors 12, Cardiff
HSOB 17.
Final: Young Ospreys 38, Cardiff HSOB 26.
Plate competition. Round one: Old Penarthians B 19, Llanrumney HSOB 27; Old
Penarthians A 28, Pontyclun OB 15; Caerphilly GSOB 42, Old Breconians 12;
Old Cantonians 31, Cowbridge GSOB 26.
Semi finals: Llanrumney HSOB 24, Old Penarthians A 14; Caerphilly GSOB 26,
Old Cantonians 21.
Final; Llanrumney HSOB 50, Caerphilly GSOB 19
8:38am Thursday 15th May 2008
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