Saturday 7th March 2026
Cardiff Saracens 10 v Old Penarthians 25
After an encouraging, much improved Wales performance in their Six Nations Match away to Ireland on the Friday night, Old Penarthains travelled to Roath Park Playing Fields for a morning kick off against Cardiff Saracens looking for a continued improvement in their own fortunes. And the many spectators who made the trip into Cardiff were rewarded with a positive performance and result against fellow WRU Division 5 East Central strugglers and a victory by 25 points to 10.
The match also saw the Old Pens score four tries to earn a bonus point which added to the four points on offer for a win moved them five points clear of the relegation zone and level on points with Llandrindod Wells who are the Club’s next league opponents on 21st March.
It was a slightly delayed kick off due to the pitch being occupied by junior football matches but the warm up drills on an adjacent free area under the watchful eye of coach Jason Lewis were accurate and the players enthused for the game ahead. That motivation was particularly evident in the attitude of four Youth players who were all to make their senior debuts in the match. There were starts for Billy Payne and Theo Simmons and Will Graham and Gabe Chandler would come on as substitutes during the match.
All four players have been part of an outstanding Youth XV at the club led by coaches John Bryant and Robert Sidoli, who were both in attendance to see their prodigies in action, and the presence of these young players shows the direction in which the Club wishes to progress.
Straight from the kick off Penarthians started the match in a positive fashion with forward drives from Liam O’Brian and captain Joe Francis-Oaten supported by threequarters Ethan Galsworthy, Simmons and Payne. A quick delivery from a ruck was then halted illegally by Saracens and a penalty kick awarded, which unfortunately went unconverted from 35m by Jonathan Crimp.
Penarthians continued in an attacking intent and further penalties resulted, one of which on 14 minutes was kicked inside the home team’s twenty-two. The lineout was won cleanly by James Reynolds from an Ellis Halliday throw and the forwards created a rolling maul that progressed to the tryline where Jac Davies emerged as the scorer. The conversion from Crimp was this time successful and Old Pens led 7-0.
On 20 minutes Old Pens were reduced to 14 men with a yellow card shown to Mark Smart for an illegal contact with the Saracens scrum half but retaliation from a Saracens forward also saw him spend 10 minutes on the touchline. At the same time Francis-Oaten left the field for running repairs on a hand injury allowing Graham his debut.
But it was another debutant Simmons who took the spotlight after 25 minutes when he scored a try at the corner flag after good work by the forwards led by Jamie Oaten, Reynolds and Davies. The conversion was unsuccessful.
For the remaining period of the half Penarthians seemed to relax and it allowed Cardiff Saracens both territory and possession. Firstly, a penalty was awarded at a ruck turnover, gifting Saracens three points from a kick in front of the posts and then a failed clearance kick to touch gave Saracens an attacking opportunity which was only stopped by a deliberate knock-on by Williams that earned him a yellow card. With limited numbers in defence the home team spread the ball wide and space was created for a try near the touchline. The last kick of the half was successful and Cardiff Saracens saw themselves only two points in arrears.
Half time saw the introduction of Mike Jones at prop and Chandler at hooker for Nathan Harris and O’Brian but the changes did not affect the scrummaging which remained strong throughout. And it was from an initial solid scrum that saw the ball released by Galsworthy to allow half back partner Crimp carry the ball into contact 10m out from the tryline. The forwards were in support and Reynolds and Smart set up a ruck. A quick possession found Halliday on the right unmarked and he strolled over for a try.
Further sustained pressure from forwards and threequarters gave Saracens very little time on the ball but Old Pens could not make the territorial advantage pay dividends despite crossing the tryline on two occasions for the referee to determine that the ball had not been grounded. It was therefore left to Williams after 30 minutes to add three points with a penalty kick that barely gained enough height to rise above the crossbar, to give the visitors some breathing space at 20-10.
Williams was to feature again five minutes later when he took a pass from Payne and burst through the central defence. He found support on his shoulder and the pass to Connor Christie sent him through for the team’s fourth try and a bonus point to help ease fears of relegation in a 25-10 victory.
In the end it was a hard fought, but deserved victory, for Old Penarthians but survival in the division is not secured yet and the match on 21st March against Llandrindod Wells now looms large. The fixture is scheduled to kick off at home at 2.30pm and all support would be welcome to cheer on the team in this important contest.