Old Boys 2nds out-classed by a rejuvenated Rhiwbina 3rds

On Saturday, October 11 Cwrt y Vil hosted Rhiwbina RFC 3rd XV for what promised to be a good game based on the determination showed by the visitors in last year’s fixture. The game started late to accommodate some of Rhiwbina’s players who were delayed by traffic however this allowed the pitch and players to dry out after the intense rain and hail which fell just before scheduled kick off time. So in warm sunshine the game commenced but turned out to be a stark realisation of the implications that the new SWALEC league structure that contained the clubs’ First Teams imposed on the subordinate Cardiff and District Leagues.

Old Penarthians started well, catching the kick off and setting the ruck which was evenly contested and led to ten minutes of good play and pressure on the visitors. Despite the set pieces working well for the Old Boys it was in the loose where Rhiwbina showed the difference in the sides. Ten minutes into the game Rhiwbina broke through what appeared to be an ill maintained defence to score an unconverted try. In fact the quality of the visitors’ running and passing allowed tackles to be avoided and create gaps in the defence. The next twenty minutes poor touch finding kicks and missed tackles were punished with decisive running and converted tried from the visitors. Half time arrived with the scores at 40-nil in favour of Rhiwbina 3rds. Despite this one sided scorecard Old Penarthinas did not capitulate on several occasions that bucked the tide of play, strong set pieces and running brought play within metres of Rhiwbina’s try line, only to be thwarted by strong defence.

The second half commenced with the home team resolved to make an impact on the score board and reap reward for the dogged determination of the first half and demonstrated that the visitors were not the only team able to play rugby. To a man the Old Penarthians 2nd XV played for each other and the club shirt but none will receive recognition for their effort because none will be cited for their errors and mistakes. Despite best endeavours Rhiwbina continued their dominance in the loose and out classed the Old Boys.

Pre-match conversations with the visitors made it apparent that promotion of Rhiwbina RFC’s First team to the First Division and closer links with the Region had attracted new players to the club. This had evidently benefitted their third team in painful contrast to the home team who, at the other end of the spectrum with tenuous links with the WRU and the Region, struggled to attract experienced players. Old Penarthians 2nd XV was a mixture of seasoned and inexperienced players who as the caption above states were out played, the final whistle put an end to a disappointing game full of unrewarded effort at 64-nil against a visiting team whose third XV title belied a quality side.