On a bright and sunny afternoon at Cwrt-Y-Vil and with a large crowd in attendance, the new look Old Penarthians RFC 1st XV, under new senior coaches James Greenfield and Jason Lewis and Director of Rugby Alun Haines, began their season with a resounding 8-try victory over Cardiff Saracens.
Unfortunately, newly-appointed 1st XV captain Joe Francis-Oaten who was last season’s Youth team captain, was ruled out through an injury sustained in last week’s pre-season friendly v Old Illtydians, so vice-captain Conor Christie deputised, and in some style, helping himself to a hat-trick of touch downs.
There was nothing ‘Old’ about this Penarthian team, with no less than eleven of the 20 players on duty, recent products of the thriving Mini & Junior and Youth set-ups at the club. The ranks were also bolstered by prop Mike Holloway and second row Josh Porter, players on permit from the Old Illtydians.
The Old Pens certainly started as though they meant business, with the first try being scored straight from the kick-off. Looking to keep the ball alive, there was some excellent inter-passing from the forwards, before centre Cae Williams was released into midfield and his pace proved too much for the Saracens’ defence and he released full-back Ieuan Harris who opened his account for the season, after beating two defenders in the process.
The spectators had to wait another 25 minutes for the next score however, as over-eagerness resulted in dropped balls and scoring opportunities lost. The home team was enjoying most of the territory, and with the back row of James Reynolds, Elliot Dymond-Salmon (both former youth captains) and Henry Kynaston, ably assisted by Charlie Wheatley, dominating the loose, player-coach James Greenfield finished off a number of surges for the try-line by forcing his way over for the try which was again converted by outside-half Josh Preece.
There were further scores before half-time with Josh Preece kicking a penalty -goal from in front of the posts and converting two further tries from debutant Steffan Davies and Conor Christie, from moves which began in their own half. Both tries illustrated the threat posed by the Old Pens back-line, ably orchestrated by Man of the Match Preece, who looked to get the ball wide whenever he could.
A game Cardiff Saracens team, although struggling to contain the expansive game being played by the Old Pens, managed to open their account just before half-time, when Rob Jones forced his way over from short range for a try converted by Elliot Gates to bring the half to a close with a 31-7 scoreline.
It wasn’t long before the Old Pens had the scoreboard ticking over again when, after 44 minutes, some more good support play from Josh Porter, debutant scrum-half Ethan Galsworthy and others resulted in Conor Christie strolling over the line unopposed for his second try which was again converted by Preece for a 38-7 lead.
After several changes were made, the set piece began to suffer and a resilient Cardiff Saracens XV fought back strongly, forcing a number of penalties to be conceded by the Penarthians, and leaving a number of the Cwrt-Y-Vil faithful fearing a capitulation as had previously been witnessed at the venue in recent seasons. Those concerns soon disappeared however, with the pacey backs again showing they had too much for the opposition, and after 57 minutes, following a delightful chip over the on-rushing defence from Josh Preece, Cae Williams was released on a 40 metre dash to the try-line for a score that was again converted by Preece.
Other changes saw Jack Chandler, the third debutant Zach Gilbert and veterans Gareth Clancy, Craig Haines and Josh Alcock take the field, but the earlier disruption had now settled, and a further try was awarded after 69 minutes, when everyone thought Gareth Clancy had finished off another excellent passage of play, only for the referee to award a penalty try following an illegal challenge on Clancy as he touched the ball down.
There was time for another score and for captain of the day Conor Christie to secure his hat-trick when he powered over after a 30-metre burst in which a number of tackles were broken. He converted the try himself and the match ended 59-7.
Whilst the team can be very pleased with its effort on the day, no-one is getting carried away, in the knowledge there are sterner challenges ahead, but there was no denying the celebration of an excellent performance in the Clubhouse that went on long into the evening.
The 2nd XV played away at Canton and were on the wrong end of a 7-0 scoreline, in a game which finished bizarrely when the Canton coach took his team off the pitch with ten minutes still to play, apparently having had a disagreement with the match official. The next game at Cwrt-Y-Vil will see the 2nd XV in action on Saturday 13th September, when Rhiwbina will be the visitors for a 2.30pm kick-off.
1st XV debutants (l – r) Steffan Davies, Ethan Galsworthy & Zach Gilbert