ON Saturday, November 1, Old Penarthians 1st XV travelled to Taffs Well in an attempt to win their first WRU Division Three East Central (A) league fixture of the season. Preparations through the week had been good with coach Graham Matthew and new assistant Curtis Taylor encouraged by the player turnout of over 20 at both training sessions. It was also good news that a full complement of substitutes was available and with Taffs Well having won only one game this season, the visitors were optimistic

The optimism was however dented within seven minutes when a dominant Taffs Well scrum earned a penalty kicked by Darryl Mota before a break by outstanding number eight, Ryan Davis left tacklers floundering as he scored a converted try for a Taffs Well lead of 10 -0.

Driving play by Dai Roberts and Joel deClaire gave Old Penarthians territory and a penalty award was kicked by Jonathan Crimp. More good play by Dave Hoskins and Tom Sidford supported by Simon Davies and James Williams again brought Penarthians into the Taffs Well half and from a ruck 15m in front of the posts Lloyd Davey stole the ball and ran through for a try, converted by Crimp to tie the scores.

Although playing attractive attacking rugby, the scrum was still creaking and another penalty by Mota from half way restored the Taffs Well advantage. From the kick off the home scrum half under pressure from Davies kicked long to the waiting deClaire in his own 22. He passed to Davey who ran 20m before passing to Williams. He passed to Craig Haines who himself passed to fellow centre Jack Davies inside the opposition 22. A neat reverse pass found Gareth Clancey in support who crossed for the try after the best move of the match gave Penarthians a deserved lead.

Unfortunately before the end of the half there was another Mota penalty and a blindside try from a line out for Ashley Bonetto. Then in injury time the Taffs Well forwards and in particular Davis gained territory and from a quick tap penalty Bonetto scored again. Mota converted and Taffs Well led 28 – 15 at the interval

The score did not justify the efforts of young forwards Mitch Penberthy and Jack Margetson but the scrum needed shoring and Dale Norris, returning from injury, was brought on at tight head instead of Ian Buckley and Mark Smart came on as flanker. These changes unfortunately did not stop the Taffs Well forwards and six minutes into the half, tries by Davis and Mota gave Taffs Well a 40 – 15 lead.

Penarthians did however continue to play adventurous rugby and from a Norris charge supported by Roberts and Gareth Boulton the threequarters had room to attack inside the opposition 22. A knock on by the defending winger was then adjudged to be deliberate by the referee and with three men waiting for the scoring pass a penalty try was awarded that Crimp converted.

This was however the highlight of the second half as Taffs Well scored 12 more unanswered points to win by 52 points to 22.

The Wales Internationals now impose a break on the league season and it is hoped that the good aspects of this game can be taken forward into the training sessions that lie ahead.