OLD PENARTHIANS 5 BARRY 23

OLD PENARTHIAN hopes of upsetting the promotion applecart of neighbours Barry fell by the wayside at Cwrt-y-Vil last Saturday when, for the second time this season, the visitors proved to be the better side and were full value for the margin of the three tries to one count reflected in the 23-5 score line.

This was an especially disappointing result for the Old Boys who had been intent on using the game as a springboard for an assault on a higher placing in Division 5 South East of the SWALEC national leagues.

Instead, this third defeat in the four latest league outings saw the side slip below Cowbridge, 25 points to 8 winners at home to Dinas Powys, into eighth place in the 11 team table.

Even worse is the fact that the continuing failure to register match points is rapidly lessening all chance of achieving the top six placing that was the club's minimum target at the start of the season.

Yet the early signs in the local derby were promising. Barry exerted the initial pressure but the Old Boys survived those attacks and, in only the third minute, raced out of defence.

Winger Rhys Jenkins did ever so well in his chase of the ball into the opposing half and a defensive mix up saw the ball run loose.

Tim Naylor was quick to gather possession and his inside pass saw hooker Taz Rosoman racing clear from 25 yards for a try that was not converted.

Not that the lead was long lived for Penarthians infringed at the opposite end barely 3 minutes later and former Penarthian Chris Cummings displayed his customary accuracy as he landed the goal from 25 yards out on the left.

Even worse for the hosts was to follow when Rhys Jenkins succumbed to injury, Dave Owen taking over on the wing just ten minutes into the game.

The exchanges became somewhat frantic at times with a Taz Rosoman tackle the cause of a fierce Barry response whilst David James received a cut to the head in the ensuing fracas.

The injury required touchline attention and James Evans took over temporarily. Referee Paul Jones was now having his work cut out as tempers continued to be frayed, although David Mason's spell in the sin bin came as the result of a technical infringement rather that from any form of foul play.

With the break imminent, Barry asserted themselves on the attack and took full advantage of loose Penarthians play when flanker James Hadfield gained possession and outflanked the cover for a well taken try. Chris Cummings added the extra points.

The Old Boys responded with their best move to date and five players handled in fine fashion before the whistle came when a kick ahead from David Mason went directly to touch.

Barry's lead was extended to 8 points within a minute of the re-start, Penarthians indiscipline affording Cummings the simplest of kicks from a range of only 20 yards.

At the opposite end, Scott McCarthy was not able to show similar accuracy, his attempts from 35 yards and from the 10-yard line in the space of a few minutes each being well wide of the target.

Front row changes saw James Evans and Dean Pratt replace Lee Brennan and Taz Rosoman after just 15 minutes but it was Barry who continued to call the tune even when a reckless challenge saw Andrew Gill side-lined for a mandatory ten minutes.

Indeed, a series of penalties enabled the visitors to keep the Old Boys penned in the 25 and, whilst excellent defence initially prevailed, the pressure finally paid off when wing forward Rhys Sullivan forced his way over half way out on the left. Chris Cummings could not convert.

A fine run from Gareth D Jones created half a chance for the hosts but Tim Naylor was held up before a final change saw Rhys Thomas come on for his senior debut in place of the injured Mark Sadler.

The Old Boys were, however, prone to error at this stage and it was as the result of poor tackling that Barry had the last word when winger Peter O'Sullivan forced his way over on the left for a try that Cummings could not convert.

This was not one of the better performances from a Penarthian side hampered by the shortage of locks that necessitated the unusual second row pairing of Alun Haines and Mark Smart.

As a consequence and despite the efforts of the Skipper, lineout possession was not as fluent as usual whilst the Old Boys also faced heavy pressure in the scrums. Taz Rosoman and David James worked hard in the loose but the visitors provided strong opposition through a back row in which James Hadfield was a major influence.

Behind the scrum, limited possession meant that Gareth D Jones and Scott McCarthy were largely on the back foot and both Tim Naylor and Mark Sadler found attacking chances at a premium although both defended strongly.

Full back Danny Godfrey suffered somewhat mixed fortune at times whilst it was a quiet outing for Gareth E Jones. David Owen, however, did manage to catch the eye with an enthusiastic display as replacement wing.

SECONDS

A CHANGE of opponents saw the Seconds travel to Llandaff for their outing where the hosts just shaded the exchanges to register a 17-12 victory.

This was, however, yet another game where the Old Boys suffered from the effects of uncontested scrums.

Penarthians were well on top in those set pieces with Peter Harry, Neil Margetson, and Spencer Haus all in fine form.

That trio might even have benefited from the expertise of Mark Curtis had that worthy not managed to get lost on the way to Llandaff Fields and arrived after kick off time as a result.

However, the front row advantage was negated when the hosts opted for the easy way out and, notwithstanding that it was a friendly outing, were still allowed to use a full complement of substitutes contrary to the current regulations.

Consolation for the side, however, came from the unexpected return to action of Ceri Moorcraft and Kevin Francis.

Both made major contributions behind, Francis excelling at scrum half despite an estimated 4 year absence from the game whilst Moorcraft's power in the centre belied his slightly lesser inactivity. Also well into the action was Richard Moir who controlled matters expertly from fly half.

Front row apart, best performers up front included Malcolm Penberthy at number 8 plus the hard tackling Ben Wood and Tom Rogers.

Also in the action was Gareth Boulton who surprised all with a speedy recovery from vociferous injury when told that were hospital treatment required he would have to go on the bus!

Try scorers for the Old Boys were Ceri Moorcraft and Ben Wood whilst the remaining points came from a Richard Moir conversion.

Saturday sees the Firsts travel to Dinas Powys for the return league fixture against their old rivals.

Whilst neither side is in prime form at present, local rivalry will ensure that no quarter will be asked or given in a match scheduled to kick off on the Common at 2.30pm.

In the meantime, the Vets will also be in action against their Llandaff North counterparts, this match taking place at Hailey Park.