ST ALBANS were the visitors to Cwrt-y –vil for the latest Old Penarthians 1st XV fixture in Division 3 East (A) of the National Leagues and after a narrow loss to Cowbridge the week before it was hoped that the same commitment could be shown again this week.

Unfortunately coaches Graham Matthew and Curtis Taylor found themselves faced with having to reform a team, right up to kick off time, due to player unavailability and last minute cry offs.

Pre-match organisation for a reshuffled side was also shortened as the captains and referee agreed to a 2pm start so that both sets of players could be settled in their armchairs for the Wales v France match later in the day.

This early kick off also caught out the limited number of spectators who missed part of the game.

The fact that the game took place anyway was a testimony to the good draining qualities of the pitch because two days prior to the match it was more likely that spectators would have been watching water polo rather than rugby

The rugby started poorly for Old Penarthians as the kick off did not travel the required 10 metres and St Albans were immediately on the attack.

The defence however held firm and despite being in their own 22, playing against the wind, there appeared to be some cohesion.

That unfortunately ended after nine minutes when some miscommunication and a poor pass from a solid home team scrum saw the Buns take advantage and score the first of their converted tries.

This was followed on 14 minutes with a second converted try but the 14 - 0 score-line was eventually to be the half-time score.

During the half the line-out functioned much better than in recent weeks and there was a steady supply of ball through the combination of hooker Richard Dighton and second row Jack Margetson.

The scrum anchored by Sam Hall and Gary Bishop was also holding its own despite prop Dale Norris packing down in an unfamiliar second row position.

The back row of Scott Hill, James Williams and Joel deClaire were engaged in more defensive work than attack but given the opportunity all three carried the ball to the opposition.

The second half started well and the team attempted to attack from all positions but it was often too deep in their own half giving territory to St Albans and from an attacking scrum 20 metre out the Buns secured possession and passed the ball through hands for the winger to score wide out. The conversion was again successful.

At 25 minutes St Albans scored their bonus point try and it looked as if the Penarthians were about to self-destruct.

Then came an inspired piece of play by deClaire after he had broken the defensive line on the wing, he speculatively kicked into midfield.

The defending full back did not deal with the pressure from Williams and Charlie Gore and Penarthians drove for the line.

When the ensuing pile up was cleared deClaire was found to be the try scorer and Crimp kicked the conversion.

A couple of injuries saw the introduction of Lee Brennan and Tony Harries but the Buns continued to dominate possession and they scored two more tries to bring their tally to 40 points

The final act of the game however belonged to Old Penarthians when a visitor line-out on their five metre line was disrupted and Mark Sadler playing at scrum half pounced on the loose ball to score an unconverted try for a final score of 40 - 12.

Next Saturday the first XV play away to local rivals, and table toppers Dinas Powis on the Common and the second XV return to action at home against St Albans.

Both games are due to kick off at 2.30pm.