ON Saturday, September 13 Old Illtydians played at their new home at Moorland Park, Splott for the first time and they were pleased to host Old Penarthians in a National League Division 3 East Central (A) fixture. The two clubs have comparable histories having been started as school associations and Illts Chairman, John Manders, considered this inaugural fixture was a fitting kick off to their new venture. The hosts have much to do in respect to a refurbishment of the old Moorland Road Library but it is hoped that their project will be successfully completed by the next time the two sides meet.

The game itself saw Old Illtydians, who last season were pushing for promotion from Division 4, defeat a Penarthians side, who had struggled in Division 5, however the apparent difference in standards was not always apparent in this keenly fought contest. The eventual result in favour of the home team by 31 points to eight did not represent a second half effort by Old Pens that saw them have the best of the territory and possibly possession but not the scoring opportunities.

The game did not start promisingly for the visitors when after five minutes lock Andrew Maunder fell over the line for a try after a 15m rolling maul. The conversion was kicked by Bradley Nicholls. Penarthians responded quickly with an attacking threequarter move which brought full back, Lloyd Davey into the line at speed and with support from Joel deClaire, Lee Brennan and James Williams won a penalty which Jonathan Crimp kicked from 40m.

Penarthians continued to attack but after several phases of play in the opposition 22 a penalty was awarded to the hosts. They took the kick quickly and with lack of attention from the Old Pens they broke clear for Matt Banner to score under the posts and Nicholls to convert for a 14 – 3 lead.

The Penarthians did however continue to be adventurous and any possession won by the forwards was used by the inside backs of Gareth Clancey, Crimp, Craig Haines and Mark Sadler, making a welcome return after a 15 month absence. On a couple of occasions wingers Alex Lewis and debutant Tom ‘pocket rocket’ Parkinson were released to run at the opposition.

As in the previous match however the opposition scored just before the interval, this time through Jason Thomas who caught a slightly miscued cross-kick from the Illtydians outside half to run in from 30m. The half time score was 19 -3

The second half saw Penarthians continue to attack their opponents based on a solid scrum from Sam Hall, Tom Sidford, Gareth Boulton and replacements Tony Kemp and Paul Langley but the main impetus was given by number eight Dai Roberts who was ever willing to drive forward. Despite the efforts however it was Old Illtydians who broke away from their own half for Neil Dallimore to score and Nicholls to convert. This was followed five minutes later by a try in the corner from Phil Morse after another forward rumble.

The spirit in the Old Penarthians’ team did not however drop and the last score of the game came from Gareth Clancey who was on the end of a move that combined the efforts of the forwards and the backs. The last kick of the match saw Crimp miss and lose his 100 per cent kicking record for the season to make the final score 31 -8.

On Saturday, September 20 the first XV travel to Llantwit Major and the seconds play at home to LLanishen. Both games kick off at 2.30pm.