REGARDLESS of their standard and league the two clubs tend to produce closely-fought games on this traditional Boxing Day fixture. “This match is a welcome relief after the Christmas Day overindulgence providing the local rugby players and fans alike with an opportunity to meet and enjoy themselves,” Penarth RFC Chairman Mike Gooding said. This year’s match played at Cwrt-y-Vil playing fields made no exception, with the Seasiders showing enough class towards the end of the second half of a fast and furious encounter to win by four tries to one and retain the “Richard Thomas” Shield, they had won the previous year, in premiere. Two early tries by the Penarth’s Smith cousins, Tom and Nathan, made it look as if this was going to be an easy run for the senior club. Tom, playing on the wing raced through for the first try in left corner while Nathan, making an appearance at fullback, intercepted a sluggish Old Pens pass to sprint through and touch down between the posts.

But it was not to be, as the Old Pens fought their way back into the game with a fine try scored by their left wing Fearghas Gough and converted by John Crimp. With the score 12-7 at half time, the Old Pens battled bravely trying to snatch that coveted win, but the solid Penarth defence prevented any further score. Two more Penarth tries by two former Penarth Youth regulars Owen Rees and Sam Laity, back home from University for the Christmas break, secured the Seasiders the “Thomas Trophy” after an intense battle, with Nathan Smith converting two of the four tries. “Although the standard was perhaps not very high, this game will take us into the second half of the league season, which will commence on January 7th with a home game against the Old Illtydians,” Penarth Head Coach Matt Bolton said. “If we play the way we did in the last 20 minutes and stick to our structure, we can turn teams over,“ Mr Bolton added.

The “Richard Thomas” trophy has been presented by a group of former Penarth & Old Pens players to commemorate Richard Thomas, a former No 8 for both clubs, who died unexpectedly last year. This was the 24th encounter between the Penarth first XV and Old Penarthians since 1988, with Penarth winning 18 of the 24 encounters, losing five and drawing one. According to Old Penarthians President Roy Churchill, the first documented match between the two clubs was played on Boxing Day 1938. Originally, the Boxing Day fixture involved Penarth Athletic (Seconds) and Old Penarthians, at the time still called Penarth County School Old Boys with its membership confined to former Stanwell School pupils.

Captions

- Richard Thomas Shield – Presented for the first time last year to Penarth Captain Scott Mackie by Richard’s wife Karen (left) and his children Rhys and Claire

Penarth RFC squad – for the Boxing Day match

Standing (l-r) Head Coach Matt Bolton, Matt Holder, Anthony Pine, Mitchell Hickey, Sam Laity, Tom Luck (Captain), Nathan Smith, Scott Mackie, Elliott Smith, Alan Doyle, Tom Smith, Alex Thau, Stephen Newman (team Manager), John Colderly (backs coach) Kneeling (l-r), Owen Rees, Rhys Morgan, James Candy, Gareth Mathias, Jerome Bryan, Owen Thomas, Tom Hillman, Mason Good