Saturday 21st March 2026
Old Penarthians 55 v Llandrindod Wells 31
Fresh from an away victory against Cardiff Saracens on 7th March, Old Penarthians 1st XV entertained Llandrindod Wells last Saturday in their continued battle to survive relegation from WRU Division 5 East Central. Both teams entered the fixture with 20 league points whilst the two teams below them were Saracens on 16 and Treherbert on 12 points. With only three games left in the Old Pens calendar after this last home fixture of the season a positive result would definitely ease their concerns.
And a large crowd encouraged by the warm spring weather were hugely entertained by the Old Penarthians victory by 55 points to 31. The match was however not straightforward and at one time the home spectators’ nerves were on edge when a positive 21 points to nil scoreline was turned around to 27-24, three minutes into the second half. Fortunately, the latter part of the game was dominated by the attacking game preferred by the Old Pens and three late tries sent the team and their support into the clubhouse with a spring in their step. Saracens and Treherbert losses also helped the mood with Old Pens now nine points clear of the drop zone.
The game could not have started in a better way for the home team when Llandrindod Wells knocked on the kick off and the Old Pens scrummage, which was strong throughout, controlled possession allowing Ieuan Harris a strong run into midfield which left his tackling opponent with an injury that forced him from the field. After the stoppage in play the forwards carried again and were rewarded with a Josh Allcock try that went unconverted.
Three minutes later Jonathan Crimp made amends for his miss with a penalty kick and three points, after a strong rum from Theo Simmonds carried on by Mike Jones, Mark Smart and Allcock forced Llandrindod into an error at a ruck. On twelve minutes a Llandrindod drop out was caught by Cae Williams and a strong run into midfield found support from the ever-present James Reynolds and his pass to Harris saw him score a try converted by Crimp and a 13-0 scoreline.
Penarthians were back into opposition territory from the kick off but a dropped ball in midfield let Llandrindod counterattack and only a fine defensive tackle by Harris and a turnover from Liam O’Brien prevented a score. The turnover was secured and Ethan Galsworthy cleared upfield. The kick which was from within his own half crossed the touchline inside the opposition 22 and thereby earned Old Pens the throw in at the line out. This was taken by Will Davis and driven forward for O’Brien to cross for the try converted by Crimp.
A lapse in concentration in defence by Old Pens allowed the visitors to exert pressure of their own and a forward drive ended with a converted try and a 20-7 scoreline. Penarthians responded with probably the best try of the half with forwards and threequarters combining in a try from within their own half. The ball was set up in midfield by the forwards and quick delivery from a ruck to Crimp allowed him to delay a timed pass to Reynolds who found Nathan Harris on his shoulder. He beat two defenders and passed back inside to the advancing Simmons who scored. The conversion was successful and Old Pens led 27-7.
There is however nothing straightforward when watching Old Penarthians and before the half was over Llandrindod had scored two converted tries of their own. One from a fortuitous bounce of the rugby ball which deceived the defenders and the other from further sustained forward efforts. It meant that a half time score of 27-21 was no where as comfortable as might have been expected after the first 30 minutes of the match.
Then came a penalty to the visitors within two minutes of the restart and the margin was down to three points and the nerves were beginning to show. Llandrindod must have sensed that uncertainty and tried to run out from their own goal line only for them to drop the ball allowing Galsworthy to scoop up the ball and dive to score under the posts and Crimp to convert. The score was now 34-24
Galsworthy was back in the action a couple of minutes late when he caught a deep kick in his own half. He ran the ball back with support from substitute Laitham Coombes and Joe Francis-Oaten. The forwards continued the move to create a ruck and then a loop move between Crimp and Craig Haines put Connor Christie into space and he scored a try which was again converted.
Then came the ‘Keystone Cops’ moment of the match when a simple penalty kick to the corner from 10m was missed by Williams. That resulted in a drop-out 22 to the visitors that was kicked long into Old Pens territory. The ball was collected by Christie who against his natural inclination to run decided to pass but only succeeded in hitting the ball onto his leg and it bounced onto the ground. An advancing Llandrindod player hacked forward but their still didn’t seem to be any danger until Williams failed to pick up the bouncing ball and the visitors scored a try that was converted and the match was again in the balance at 41-31 with 20 minutes remaining
That was to the last of the trauma however for Old Penarthians when Galsworthy finished a fine afternoon with two further tries to complete a hat-trick and Crimp added the conversions of both for an individual point tally of fifteen.
Next week the team travel away to Tref-y-Clawdd in Knighton and all support would be welcome. Spaces are available on the coach and please contact Jon Lewis for details of the departure times.