SO the usual order of things was returned to the Old Penarthians Seven-a-Side tournament last Saturday when, at the 63rd annual event, Ysgol Glantaf OB returned to winning ways.

This was Glantaf’s fourth victory in six years - a remarkable achievement bearing in mind the improving quality of Sevens playing standards. Should Glantaf continue this vein of form, they will be challenging the dominance previously shown by Old Illtydians and Caerphilly GSOB.

Old Illtydians won the tournament five times between 1974 and 1984 and were beaten finalists three other times. The Caerphilly team won eight times between 1988 and 2000 and lost in only one of their final appearances in that period.

Since their first victory in 1996, Ysgol Glantaf have competed in eight finals, winning five. This final was by no means a formality however, as they competed against last year’s winners Kratos Titans, who would not give up the title without a fight.

Unfortunately, the result was determined within the first five minutes when Glantaf scored 24 unanswered points through four tries and two conversions. Kratos did not have a single possession of the ball during this period, as the pinpoint kick-offs from Matthew McLean went just over the 10-metre line for his own forwards to re-gather and start new attacks.

Try scorers were McLean, Sion Hopkins, Rory Budina and Dyfrig Rees, with McLean adding the conversions.

Only when the fifth kick failed did Kratos have any forward momentum, but despite having the ball, they were unable to break down the defence and at half-time it was 24-0.

Titans did not give up though and in the second period they scored three tries through Curtis Cunningham, Lloyd Stapleton and Elliot Frewen, who also kicked a conversion. But it was not enough and Glantaf had sufficient reserves of energy to become worthy 2012 winners.

Event organiser Jon Vaughan and team organiser Neil Pugh, both first-timers in the hot seat, were thrilled that all sides had reported by the deadline, and the tournament could proceed to the timetable, over which master of ceremonies Roy Churchill presided with his usual authority.

He was joined in the commentary box by 'apprentice' Trevor Murphy and long-time journalistic friend George Williams who will, hopefully, soon recognise in print that the Old Penarthians Sevens Tournament IS the longest running event of its kind in Wales.

Ysgol Glantaf were the first winners of the day on the main pitch as they kicked off the tournament against English visitors Corsham RFC. At the same time on pitch 2, Cardiff Baby Blues were defeating Old Breconians by 40 points, and a second round showdown between two favourites was assured.

Next on the main pitch in front of a vociferous home support were Old Penarthians led by SWALEC Cup winning centre Leon Andrews, who had put together a strong squad of local talent supported by two colleagues from Cross Keys RFC.

After an error strewn start, Simon Davies settled the nerves with two first-half tries and the team ran out 36-12 winners over Glamorgan Wanderers Youth. Other points came from Steve and Chris Roberts and Chris Poole.

Other first round winners were last year’s beaten finalists Whitchurch HSOB, victors over tournament new boys the Wales Deaf 7s; Kratos Titans; Cardiff & District OB; Llandovery College OB; and another of the newcomers to the event Blackwood OB, who defeated Voyagers representing London Welsh, 21-19. Voyagers' chief supporter, Martyn Ryan, suggested that the success of the Premiership chasing team did not directly transfer onto the Sevens field and that a less direct route and the avoidance of contact may serve the side better in later rounds of the Plate competition.

The second round saw the eagerly awaited clash of the two Cardiff teams and it was Glantaf who won, defeating the Blues academy team 17-14.

Old Penarthians then took on Whitchurch HSOB in a game marred by a serious injury to Tom Lampard. As the player was racing to score a try, he was tackled and fell awkwardly. It was obvious that emergency care was required and St John Ambulance was able to provide the initial treatment.

It was later confirmed that Tom had suffered a dislocated ankle and broken tibia. All at Old Penarthians and throughout the area wish Tom a speedy recovery.

At the time of the accident, with two minutes left to play, Old Pens were leading 19-17 and with great generosity Whitchurch conceded the game, leaving Old Penarthians to proceed to the semi-finals.

They were joined by Kratos Titans and Llandovery College OB.

On the adjoining pitch, the Plate Competition was under way for the frist-round losers. There were wins for both the English teams, Corsham and Voyagers, and also Glamorgan Wanderers and Meibion Plasmawr. The semi-finals of the Plate saw Corsham lose to Wanderers, and the Voyagers defeat Plasmawr.

In the main competition, the first semi saw Ysgol Glantaf take an early lead against Old Penarthians from almost their first attack with a try from Sion Hopkins. That was the half-time score, and was further extended by a try by Owain Lloyd converted by Mclean.

Then came the most thrilling moment of the game when Chris Poole broke from his own half and raced 75m to score a try, converted by Chris Roberts. The advantage was with the Old Penarthians and Leon Andrews, Scott Mackie, Ross Meadows and Nathan Williams all pressurised, culminating in a break down the right touchline which nearly resulted in a try, but the Glantaf defence held.

Even after a strong scrummage, Penarthians could not retain the ball and, with a minute left Glantaf broke from their 22 to score the decisive points and earn a hard-fought 19-7 victory. The other semi-final was more one-sided, with Kratos Titans defeating Llandovery 36-5.

Before the two finals, the remaining players were given a rest and the crowd entertained by a match between the Old Penarthians U10 and U11 teams. The commitment of all involved was indicative of the successful season the section has achieved, and everyone enjoyed playing in front of a large crowd. Hopefully one day some of these lads will play in the competition proper.

The Golden Jubilee Plate Final was on first and a strong Voyagers team, taking the advice of their mentor, played expansive rugby to defeat Glamorgan Wanderers Youth 47-24.

That brought the competition to a climax, with the Glantaf OB team taking the spoils over Kratos Titans.

During the presentation, Matthew McLean (Glantaf) was awarded the Brian Joseph Man of the Tournament trophy by chairman Mel Jones for his outstanding management of the team that scored 94 points on the day. He joins the illustrious company of David Bishop as the only two-time winner of the trophy in 28 years.

Main event results:

Round 1: Ysgol Glantaf OB 34, Corsham RFC 5; Old Breconians 0, Cardiff Baby Blues 26; Old Penarthians 36, Glamorgan Wanderers Youth 12; Whitchurch HSOB 24, Wales Deaf 7s 0; Kratos Titans 38, Old Illtydians 0; Blackwood OB 21, Voyagers 19; Cardiff & District OB 14, Old Cantonians 12; Meibion Plasmawr 14, Llandovery College OB 24.

Round 2: Ysgol Glantaf 17, Cardiff Baby Blues 14; Old Penarthians 19, Whitchurch 17; Kratos Titans 45, Blackwood 14; Cardiff & District 0, Llandovery College 43.

Semi-finals: Ysgol Glantaf 17 Old Penarthians 7; Kratos Titans 36, Llandovery College 5.

Final: Ysgol Glantaf 26, Kratos Titans 17.

Plate results:

Round 1: Corsham 26, Old Breconians 14; Glamorgan Wanderers 38, Wales Deaf 7s 19; Old Illtydians 7, Voyagers 40; Old Cantonians 12, Meibion Plasmawr 29.

Semi-finals: Corsham 12, Glamorgan Wanderers 17; Voyagers 33, Meibion Plasmawr 0.

Final: Glamorgan Wanderers 24, Voyagers 47.