SATURDAY saw the annual presentation day for the junior and mini section of the Old Penarthians RFC.

Blessed by good weather the day started off with the traditional parents against kids’ game. At all age groups the parents were a very poor second.

There were two special guests to present the medals and trophies. This year they were Richie Rees and Jamie Roberts, players that all the children aspire to play like. The two of them added to the special occasion and there were a lot of players to get through with all ages from the under 6s upwards brimming with talented players.

The under 7s held up proceedings a little. Known as the OPRFC Titans, they had 33 players to present medals to. The Titans have had a wonderful season, their squad has risen weekly in numbers and they were crowned champions at the Cardiff, Vale and District, winning both the Cup and the Plate competitions. They also won the Pencoed Festival of rugby and were runners up in both the Llantwit Major Sinclair Cup and the Cwmbran Tournament. Coach Stuart Barter said: “I could not have been more pleased for this bunch of kids, they are turning into great rugby players and play with a smile of their faces, seeing Richie and Jamie down here has made it very special for them.’’

At the age of seven, some of the team were collecting their third year’s medal. The squad consists of Dylan Badminton, Ethan Beasley, James Bennett, Macsen Callaghan, Haydn Craven, Steffan Davies, Dylan Davies, William Davis, Gethin Dobbs Evans, Harry Edwards, Freddie Evans, Joe Francis-Oaten, Evan Friis, Ethan Galsworthy, Neirin Gilani, Dafydd Grigg, Celeb Isherwood, Connor Kennedy, Joshua King, Louis Lawrence, Oliver Long, Casper Morley, Callum O’Brien, Morgan Pendleton-Jones, Jericho Perkins, Max Pratt, Twm Ryan-Davies, Wil Seeley and Luke Summerfield. All of these players will be in the under 8s next year, while the following players will help form the next massed ranks of the under 7s, Gabriel Chandler, Lewys Tollerfield, Theo Simmonds and Alfie Gore.

The presentation also consists of three trophies awarded to the Most Improved Player which was won by Oliver Long, The Clubman of the Year, won by Haydn Craven and the Player of the Year won by Joshua King. They were presented the trophies by the guests of honour and head coach Stuart Barter who said “it had been a very hard job to single three people out when so many players have given their all for the team. Next year will be their final year in tag rugby and I would imagine it will be an even more difficult task!”

The Old Penarthians Titans also announced that they have secured sponsorship from three companies; their playing kit is being generously sponsored by the Bull Dog Skin Care for Men and their training kit by ACTIS Insulation and Automotive World.

After all the presentations, announcements and the guests of honour had left the coaches and some of the parents sat down and reflected on the season as only coaches know how too.