ON Saturday, December 6, Old Penarthians 1st XV played at home against Caerau Ely in a WRU Division Three East Central (A) clash. This was the first game for both senior sides after the enforced league break for the Autumn Internationals. In that period the club had played a friendly fixture against Sully Sports and in a high scoring thriller lost by 43 points to 37

That match had however introduced a couple of new players to the club and given them an opportunity to gel with their teammates. Several of them made debuts against Caerau and the side also welcomed back Steve Thomas and Mark Smart to Penarthians colours.

The bright but chill day was made for entertaining rugby and for the most part both sides tried to play their part. Unfortunately the result favoured the visitors by 28 points to 17 but the second half performance in particular saw Penarthians put up its most combative effort of the season so far. This was not just an aggressive defensive effort but also an attacking performance by both forwards and threequarters that will give the team heart for the rest of the season.

The game started poorly with a series of penalty infringements giving Caerau territorial advantage which Liam Carey turned into three points after four minutes. Caerau continued to press and only good defensive tackling from Joel deClaire, Jack Davies and Jon Crimp prevented further advances. On 18 minutes from a lineout 20 metres from the home team goal line Caerau set up a series of driving mauls and Richie Williams scored a try.

At this stage the Caerau pack were dominant and Penarthians could not get any field position to exploit the running of the threequarters and soon conceded anther penalty to Carey and a converted try to Anthony Moorland. Caerau led by 18 – 0.

Then came the best move of the half when Jack Margetson won a clean line out on the left touchline. Gareth Clancey passed to Davies who passed to Lloyd Davey. He looped around Craig Haines for a return pass and a clean break through the defence. As Davey was tackled by the last defender he managed to pass to the supporting winger James Williams who crossed under the posts. The conversion was kicked by Scott McCarthy replacing the injured Crimp.

Then in the last play of the half Penarthians were penalised for a deliberate knock-on and the kick by Carey gave Caerau a 21 – 7 half time lead.

Half time saw changes by coaches Graham Mathews and Curtis Taylor and the introduction of Gary Bishop, Dale Norris and Tony Kemp brought more maturity, bulk and solidity to the scrummage. From this platform the team was able to attack Caerau and having declined kicks at goal were rewarded with a try wide out by Steve Thomas

Penarthians continued to press but silly penalties were conceded and from one unsuccessful kick at goal the referee decided that Williams was beaten to the in-goal touch down by Dwayne Ilestry and a try was awarded. Carey again converted.

Penarthians disputed the decision but continued to play determined rugby and almost immediately attacked down the right touchline. Replacement hooker Gareth Boulton deftly kicked ahead for Williams to pounce on the bouncing ball and score. Despite a final effort the last five minutes were scoreless and Penarthians suffered another loss.