WONDERFUL weather was the order of the day last Saturday as Old Penarthians Firsts and Seconds undertook their first league matches of 2006 at Cwrt-y-Vil.

The pity was that the players of neither side could match up to the occasion, and supporters were left shaking their heads in disbelief at the poor quality of the performances that saw the Firsts blown away by Rhiwbina while the Seconds suffered a humiliating 32 points to 5 defeat at the hands of St Peters.

When Old Penarthians met Rhiwbina at the start of the season in a Konica Minolta cup clash, only a last-minute penalty goal gave the Cardiff side victory in the 13 points to 10 score line.

That the Squirrels have made rapid progress since that September date is reflected in the five victories from their last six outings, culminating in the 89 points to 5 annihilation of Deri just a week ago.

Perhaps there was some comfort from the fact that the Old Boys' demolition did not reach those proportions - but the fact remains that the 39 points to nil defeat represented not only the heaviest defeat suffered by Mark Smart's men this term, but was also the greatest margin of victory achieved in games between Old Penarthians and Rhiwbina.

Adrift by 27 points to nil at the break, the Old Boys did manage to restrict the opposition to just two scores in the second session, but it is difficult to determine whether that was because of increased home effort or because the visitors simply took their foot off the gas with victory in the bag.

Either way, many left the ground convinced that the Penarthians' attacking machine had done so little damage that they were lucky to have achieved nil!

There were, of course, the usual excuses.

No fewer than nine players were absent from the line-up that had impressed in the win at Ogmore Vale. Some of those were returning from enforced absence and might have been expected to strengthen the side. But it is, of course, part of the Penarthian problem that too many of the players choose not to make themselves available on a regular basis.

Indeed, it is worth noting that James Coslett, making his debut at centre following the late withdrawal of the injured Chris Dacey, became the 50th player to feature in the side this term.

The other crucial factor is the continued avoidance of training that ensures that Monday and Thursday evenings are such a waste of time for coaches Tony Vagges and Tim O'Donnell and the very few players in attendance.

The Old Boys began well enough. Indeed, an early chance went begging when outside half Gavin Davies turned the ball inside close to the Rhiwbina 25 when it seemed that an overlap on the left had been possible. Immediately afterwards, the outside half was well wide with the penalty attempt that should have given his side the lead.

An injury to John Vaughan in the 14th minute gave Jamie Croll his earliest start for many a week.

When play restarted, however, the powerful Rhiwbina centres ran from deep in their own half with Paul Cooper touching down for an excellent score that was converted by outside half Richie Saltmarsh.

The Old Boys were now forced on to the defensive. Desperation crept into the situation that saw Simon Hennessey prevent the ball from being won beneath the home posts, Referee Julian Smith dispatched the centre to the sin bin before awarding the penalty. Saltmarsh converted with ease.

The visitors pressed home the advantage of superior numbers to cross for two tries in as many minutes.

Winger Justin Silva got both Richie Saltmarsh adding the extra points, whilst a marvellous run from full back David Brockway gave the winger the simple chance that he took to complete his hat-trick shortly before half time.

Skipper Gavin Harries put the final touch to the forward drive that led to Rhiwbina's tally soon after the restart but, although that was converted by Saltmarsh with a massive touchline strike, the visitors had to wait until the 39th minute of the half for their next score, Saltmarsh ending a neat bout of passing with a 25 yard dash to the corner.

The story from the second pitch was little better. St Peters showed themselves to be the better-skilled side and were good value for the margin of their 32-5 success.

Their competitive app-roach was not to the liking of a remarkably timid Old Boys side although Spencer Haus, Gareth Boulton, and Mark Curtis battled well in the front row.

Another in fine form was evergreen flanker David Martin, as usual setting an example that was not followed by his colleagues.

Behind the scrum, only Adrian Penny, always in the thick of things at inside half, revealed his true form and it was fitting that he should have been rewarded with his side's only try.

This weekend, the Firsts are without a game following Canton's demise but it is hoped that a friendly fixture can be arranged.

The Seconds, meanwhile, take the short trip to Sully for a match scheduled to kick off at 2.30pm.