IN THE opening fixture of the 2015-16 Division Two East Central season Penarth RFC entertain Gwernyfed Rugby Football Club - celebrating 50 years since it was formed by two local teachers in the town of Talgarth in 1965.

This is going to be the seventh match of a series which commenced in 2011, with Penarth marginally ahead with three wins and a draw to Gwernyfed’s two wins.

The Seasiders have started their summer build-up quite early and had a productive early season programme, which included a successful run in the Cardiff and District 7s in July and two warm-up games against Trebanos and Lidney, an old Penarth opponent from England.

The club is pleased to announce that back-rower Scott Mackie has been confirmed as the club captain for the second season running, with blockbusting centre Tom Luck as his vice-captain.

Both Mackie and Luck have played for and captained Penarth Youth. “I am pleased Scott has accepted to captain the side again this season. He has made tremendous progress and has become increasingly influential as the season wore on,” head coach Paul Williams said.

Williams, a Penarth resident who is teaching at Neath, will carry on as head coach with David Morgan and former captain Gary Power as assistant coaches.

The addition to the League and Cup schedule of the first XV a second XV programme will keep team manager Stephen Newman busy, especially since two neighbouring clubs Barry and Dinas Powis have gained promotion.

Dinas Powis won Division 3, with Barry RFC as the runner-up, though both clubs had identical playing records: played 22, won 20, drew one, lost one.

The link of the senior club with the Youth section has never been stronger, with several former Youth players including Mason Good, Matt Jones, Kieran Carpenter, Tom Smith, Tom Hillman and Alan Doyle making their senior debut during the past season.

In addition this year’s Youth crop Matt Allen, Harry Roberts, Rob Rees and Nick Boudier have commenced training with the senior squad, and played during the summer warm-up matches.

The Youth coached by former Wales B centre Colin Laity helped by Andre Pyman and Richard Smith, the chairman of Youth, finished top of the Blues League table, but were denied the winners medals by the WRU who controversially awarded Cowbridge Youth the League title.

Unfortunately, a severe illness is preventing Pyman from coaching this season, but the youngsters have wished him a speedy recovery and hope to have him back as soon as possible

The Senior XV, with eight wins, one draw and 13 defeats finished eighth in the table with 46 points, just behind Abercynon with 51 and in front of today’s opponent Gwernyfed with 43.

James Docherty, who played both at outside half and hooker, was the top scorer with 178 points and number eight Eliott Smith was the top try-scorer with 11 touchdowns. Fullback Rhys Morgan appeared in 26 of the 27 matches, scoring four tries, with Tom Luck, Jerome Bryan, Mike Clare and James Crothers making 24 appearances each. Andrew Pyman celebrated his 100th appearance for the club against Old Penarthians on Boxing Day, ending a long playing career that commenced in the 20th century.

Chris Thau

Please note Saturday’s (September 5) match Penarth v Gwernyfed will kick off at 1.30pm, instead of 2.30pm, to allow the supporters to watch the RWC warm-up game between Wales and Italy, the last before the RWC tournament starts.