Old Pens host Sevens tournament (From Penarth Times)

Old Pens host Sevens tournament

8:03am Thursday 8th May 2008

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OLD PENARTHIANS will be hoping for fine weather on Saturday when they are hosts to the 59th staging of their popular Sevens tournament at their Cwrt-y-Vil headquarters.

The competition involves 16 sides drawn from throughout South Wales who compete on a knockout basis for the Old Penarthians trophy and a winner's prize of £500.

Interest is maintained for first round losers who go on to compete in the Plate competition, a subsidiary event that is similarly contested on a knockout basis.

Ysgol Glantaf OB, winners in 2007, return again this year and will take the field at 2pm in the opening tie against Cardiff University OB whilst their beaten opponents in that exciting final, Warriors RFC, are in later action against Caerphilly GSOB, Plate winners a year ago under the guise of Champagne Rugby.

With Llanishen HSOB unable to field a side this year, an opportunity is given to interesting newcomers in Young Ospreys whose squad is likely to be selected from within the up and coming players regional academy.

Their presence is likely to be a difficult match for host Old Penarthians who, together with Old Cantonians, are the only sides to have participated in every tournament since the 1960 inception.

Cardiff HSOB, Cowbridge GSOB, Old Illtydians, and Old Breconians are amongst the list of old favourites and past winners of the event and would-be spectators are assured of an afternoon of continuous action leading up to the final tie that kicks off at 6.30pm.

Admission to the competition is by programme priced at £2 but the ample parking available on the site is free of charge.

The full draw reads: Ysgol Glantaf OB v Cardiff University OB; Llanrumney HSOB v St Josephs OB; Old Penarthians v Young Ospreys; Cardiff and District OB v Pontyclun CSOB; Warriors RFC v Caerphilly GSOB; Old Breconians v Fire Service OB; Cardiff HSOB v Cowbridge GSOB; Old Cantonians v Old Illtydians.

Penarthians finally finished their 15-a-side season on Wednesday of last week when the Seconds faced the formidable task of an East District Cup semi-final clash against formidable opponents in Glamorgan Wanderers Seconds.

It was anticipated that the superior fitness of the Principality Premiership outfit would prove to be crucial and it was reflected in the margin of the 49 points to 12 scoreline.

To their credit, Penarthians did give a good account of themselves and the 20 points to 12 differential at the break saw the Wanderers given a real half time roasting by their coaching staff that was enough for them to considerably raise their game in the second session.

For all of the difference in class, the Old Boys fought bravely up front with Paul Rapley in excellent form and given fine support by Dominic Hedges and Ollie McGivern.

Penarth Youth Skipper Stuart Clarke was another to do well, producing a performance that belied his comparatively tender years. Behind the scrum, Tim Cheney was the pick of the bunch as he contributed a lively display.

Cheney and Chris Roberts were the scorers of fine tries for the Old Boys whilst Chris Poole completed the tally with the addition of a conversion.

The Veterans outing to Swansea Uplands was part of a rugby festival rather than a tournament and it was the whole-hearted manner with which the squad entered into the spirit of the afternoon that led to the award of the Benny Hullin Memorial Boot.

Chris Kitch's presence came as the result of domestic parole whilst Rob Crimp's appearance was against the better judgement of his colleagues.

"Doc" Rees was in lively form despite an increase in girth that is an obvious result of the lengthy lunches associated with his recently acquired status as a Professor.

Whilst it was a rare opportunity for brothers Paul and Colin Langley to indulge in fraternal rivalry.

Such a social occasion was clearly to the liking of an ebullient Mark Bow who received excellent support both on and off the field from Nigel Edmunds but the party felt that Neil Pugh's administration of the communion wine left much to be desired.

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