News

The Old Penarthians RFC Under 8s were on the road again for the last time as tag rugby players. Nick-named the OPRFC Titans they travelled to Newport High School Old Boys (NHSOB) with two teams ready to take on the might of Gwent, the hosts NHSOB, Caldicot, Forgeside and Risca in a round-robin competition.
 
The Competition was played in a fantastic atmosphere of support and encouragement, a real credit to the hosts.
 
From the Opening Game the Old Pens’ Blue Team looked like they wanted to take the silverware home to Penarth and put on a dazzling display of tag-tackling and attacking rugby with the ball being run from deep and passed along the line. 
Gethin Dobbs-Evans, captain for the day led by example with his blistering pace and ran in numerous tries. The usual suspects were in the mix of the tag-tackling: Josh King, Callum O’Brien and William ‘Bootsie’ Davis ripped tags for fun and turned defence into attack. When the Titans attacked it was as a unit, Haydn Craven and Twm Ryan-Davies’ side-steps fooling any opposition and with the support play from Morgan Pendleton-Jones, Jacob Edmunds, Harry Edwards, Macsen Callaghan and Evan Friis the tries came thick and fast. 
 
Not to be outdone, the Old Pens’ Yellow Team were plotting to take the silverware home themselves and showed that flair was abundant within the Titans’ ranks. Charlie Meyer’s pace and vision allowed him to run in tries from anywhere on the pitch as did Harry Thompson, who scored his first tries as an Old Penarthian. Jac Johns, James Bennett and Connor Kennedy showed the importance of strength in a team, leading the tagging and turned some desperate defence into attack. An attack that’s strength was pace and passing.
Freddie Evans, Luke Summerfield, Wil Seeley, Max Pratt and Ethan Beasley made short work of most defences.
 
The two Old Penarthians’ sides played five games each, the Yellows losing two, drawing one, winning two and edged into fourth on try count and the Blues going on to win the competition unbeaten. 
Gethin led his two proud teams up to collect the winners’ shield which was celebrated throughout the ranks. 
There was also an added bonus as the hosts had organised a player of the tournament award. This was decided by a referee’s vote at the end of each match and covered all age groups present. The winner of the award was a Titan, finishing his fourth season at the Old Penarthians, a shocked Haydn ‘H’ Craven received his signed rugby ball and attributed his honour to the work of his team mates.
 
It was a great day for the coaches, parents and players of the Old Penarthians’ under 8s. Over the last two years they have travelled around south Wales, winning and losing competitions but always playing with a love for the game, their club and each other. 
The Old Pens under 8s are hosting their own tournament on 24th May and all the Titans’ sides will want to help fill their trophy cabinet once more before they move onto contact rugby next