IN the absence of a fixture for Old Penarthians last weekend due to the continuation of the Six Nations tournament it gave time for current archivist, Tony Crimp, to review the performance of the club over the last decade and to provide a snap-shot summary.

Drawing on records previously kept by past president, Roy Churchill, the following details summarise the period between 1st January 2010 until 31st December 2019 and give an insight into a period of the Old Penarthians that has at times been quite difficult but at all times has provided players with an opportunity to play a game that provides enjoyment in an environment that is always welcoming.

The basic facts are that the club played 243 matches in the decade, winning 84, losing 154, and drawing five.

The team scored 3,920 points containing 524 tries but conceded 5,761 points. A win percentage of 34.6%

The best season was 2015/16 under the captaincy of Lloyd Dacey that saw the team win Division 3 South East Central (C).

In that year the team won 18 of the 22 games played scoring 769 points and 118 tries whilst conceding only 222 points.

On the reverse side the poorest season was the one that preceded this promotion year when the club was relegated from their division having won only one match of the 23 games played.

During the period 199 players represented the Old Penarthians 1st XV in the 243 matches played.

Thirty-eight players represented the team only once, with 106 players playing ten or fewer games.

On the other hand, the player with the most appearances was Jonathan Crimp with 190.

Ten other players represented the club on over 100 occasions and they were Joel deClaire (162), Tom Sidford (155), Mark Sadler (143), Lee Brennan (124), Gareth Clancy (116), Lloyd Davey (114), James Williams (113), Sam Hall (110) and Tony Kemp (109).

In the 243 matches 86 different players have score points for the club. Jonathan Crimp again tops the list with 721 points and in his most successful year he fell four points short of two hundred.

Ten other players scored over 100 points.

Those players were Scott McCarthy (282 points), Nathan Facey (181), Lloyd Davey (150), Richie Moir (128), Chris Poole (127), Simon Davies (115), Liam Union (109) and Mark Sadler (103) which included one penalty.

Lloyd Davey was top try scorer with 30, followed closely by Richie Moir with 25 and current 1st XV captain Rhys Lakin with 24. Lakin is one of seven captains since January 2010, the others being Scott McCarthy, James Evans, Mark Sadler, Lloyd Davey, Joel deClaire and Jonathan Crimp.

In support of the players there has been a strong off field administrative team which has been led by three chairmen, Mel Jones, Jon Vaughan and Stephen Clarke.

The period has seen the honorary secretary role held by brothers Crimp, Tony and Robert, whilst there has been a single honorary treasurer, Nigel Williams who is about to complete his 49th year in charge of the financial affairs of the rugby club.

The period has also been overseen by two presidents, the much-missed Roy Churchill and his successor Tony Crimp.

At the start of a new decade the Old Penarthians find themselves competitive in Division 3 East Central (B) of the WRU National leagues with a strong three-quarter line and a combative set of forwards, who with the recruitment of a couple of front row forwards to augment the current players can be a force to build on the performances of the past.

Staying with the present however the next 1st XV fixture is a league match at home to Wattstown this Saturday with a scheduled kick off at 2.30pm.