Old Pens lose close WRU Bowl match
Blackwood Stars 31 v Old Penarthians 21
On Saturday, the Old Penarthians travelled up to Gwent to play against Blackwood Stars in the first round of their WRU Bowl competition, giving the team management the opportunity to introduce some of the squad players who have yet to start any matches this season.
Playing with the wind in the first half the Blackwood half backs cleverly used it to their advantage sending a number of long kicks into the old Pens 22 and despite some powerful tacking from the back row of Alcock, Reynolds and Captain Francis Oaten, constant pressure led to two early tries from the home side, one of which was converted to give them an early 12.0 lead.
Playing against a much bigger and heavier pack it soon became clear to the visiting team that the only way to play was to use their backs to run at the opposition. This approach proved highly effective and clever play from Ethan Goldsworthy and Josh Preece regularly released the speed of Cai Williams, Craig Haines and Ieuan Harris to great effect. However, mistakes in the final few metres often let the side down and allowed the home side to use their powerful pack to regain possession and clear their line.
On the half hour, Cai Williams decided to take matters into his own hands and running from the 10-metre line he beat four men to score under the posts. Josh Preece converted to take the score to 12-7. With Blackwood Stars realising that they had dominance in the set piece they kept the ball within their forwards and drove up field to score a try out wide which was converted to take a 19-7 lead. This score seemed to invigorate the Old Pens forwards who from a lineout near the opposition line carried the ball forward through Liam Brookes and Henri Kynaston allowing James Reynolds to eventually power over and score the team’s second try. Josh Preece converted to make the score 19 points to 14.
As halftime approached the visiting side seemed to be holding out against the much stronger pack unfortunately right on halftime a dubious penalty awarded to the home side allowed them to once again put pressure on the old pens close to the line and when they won the ball from the scrum they went out wide to score to make the half time score 24-14.
Half time saw the introduction of Tony Kemp and Liam O’Brian for the hard working Dan Jones and Jack Chandler, and the match continued with the strong running visiting team three quarters constantly creating opportunities but despite the efforts of the Old Pens forwards, particularly Henri Kynaston and Mark Smart, the powerful opposition had the greater possession and this eventually led to another try for the home side which was converted to take the score to 31 to 14
The ferocity of all the tackling was having an effect on the team and Henri Kynaston was eventually forced off with a shoulder injury, requiring Jack Chandler to return to the field. With time running out a number of penalties allowed Josh Preece to move the team upfield and, following a good lineout take from Josh Alcock, the forwards drove towards the line allowing Mark Smart to power over for a well deserved score, once again converted by the ever consistent Josh Preece,
With time running out, the ageless Richie Moir, was replaced by his son Ollie and he played his part in releasing first Cai Williams, then Ieuan Harris and Rhys Stout on powerful runs into the opposition twenty-two. Unfortunately, the final whistle went before any further score could be added.
Congratulations to the team for a keenly contested match against very skillful and powerful opponents.
The Man of the match was a close-run thing between Cai, Ieuan and Henri but was eventually awarded to Henri Kynaston for his total commitment particularly playing out of position in the second row. Next week sees a return to league fixtures with an away game against Tref y Clawdd