WHAT a wonderful weekend of sport last weekend was. Not just the cricket, the tennis and the Grand Prix but also Penarth Wanderers Vets match against local rivals Cwrt-y-Vil OB.

By some strange twist of fate, Penarth were scheduled to play Cwrt-y-Vil in a league match on the weekend of the 14th July, but they had also been drawn to play them in the Summer Cup.

It was therefore decided by the two sides to play it as a double-header, winner-takes-all match with the score at the end of 90 mins being the league result and also the cup result - in the event of a draw it would go straight to penalties. Penarth's record in penalty shoot-outs not being the greatest.

So, with manager Ronnie Rahman away on scouting duties in Africa, not necessarily watching the Africa Cup of Nations, the experienced Paul Averies stepped in as interim manager.

He immediately set about galvanising the squad for what he believed to be a no-quarter-given struggle between two decent teams.

After our opening win against Cardiff North team changes had to be made due to unavailability with holiday or work commitments so into the quad came Katany, Scanlan, Peters, Huish, Williams, Turpitt, Self and Wills, alongside Nolan, Robinson, Aydin, Bracey, Roberts, Kean, Lewis, Chick, Claudio and Rodd.

The match, at the University Fields, Llanrumney, began in sweltering temperatures on a bone-hard, grass pitch, which was thankfully flat and even.

Penarth fielded a squad of 18 which would prove to be a strong advantage as Cwrt-y-Vil could only field a squad of 12. This would tell in the latter stages of the game.

The Wanderers midfield of Rodd, Chick, Wills and Bracey totally dominated the early exchanges with Chick, especially, pushing forward making some strong runs through the centre.

The wide men of Bracey and Rodd stretched the opposition defence giving plenty of space for Scanlan and Claudio in attack.

It wasn't long before Scanlan struck with a well-timed header from a cross by wing-back Peters. Chick soon got onto the scoresheet with his first, a well timed run and finish.

Even though Penarth were the stronger, Cwrt-y-Vil still posed a threat from set pieces with a couple of big players up front.

Due to the heat and pace of the game some gaps were showing between attack and defence but the back four of Peters, Kean, Lewis and Self dealt with most attacks comfortably.

Wanderers scored again, with the goals swinging between Chick and Scanlan.

The one time the defence was breached keeper Billy 'The Fish' Nolan pulled off not just a double save but a quadruple (putting Jim Montgomery in the shade - Google him).

When the ball was cleared the Cwrt-y-Vil forwards and Penarth defence alike just fell about laughing, not believing that the ball wasn't resting in the goal. Half-time ended with the Wanderers four nil up.

The second half started with some well-needed changes, resting Wills and Bracey, bringing on Huish and Aydin, Turpitt for Peters, Rodd for Williams and Roberts for Katany. Scanlan immediately achieved his hat-trick.

Not to be outdone, Chick scored his third - 6-0. Self then joined in with a worldy from about 30 yards into the far top corner. Not to be outdone, Claudio danced through the Cwrt-y-Vil defence to score making the final score 8-0 to Penarth.

Well done to the boys and Cwrt-y-Vil for playing the game in the right spirit throughout.

With the game wrapped up it meant that Penarth could be pleased with the three league points and also look forward to a cup semi-final (to be arranged). The Wanderers next match is in the league against Sands Utd Cardiff on the 28th July at the Dome, Leckwith.