Fixture

Saturday 10^th October 2017

Last Saturday Old Penarthians travelled to Ynysowen to play their fifth match of the 2017/18 campaign in Division 3 East Central (B) of the WRU National leagues and came away with a hard fought and well-deserved victory by 17 points to 12

The match was evenly contested throughout but it was the more talented Old Penarthians threequarters combined with dogged forward defence that were to prove the decisive factors.

The match started with Old Pens on the attack from the first minute and two drives from Tom Sidford and Chad Wilson in midfield with supporting forwards soon released Rhys Lakin to attack the Ynysowen tryline.  The forwards were again in support and the combined effort was only just held up by the defence.

A defensive mistake then handed an advantage to Ynysowen but they could not capitalise on an attacking lineout or the resulting scrummage.  In fact, after a shaky start the front row of Sam Hall, Dave Cooper and Sidford found their feet and built on a recent scrummaging session. It meant that the bigger Ynysowen forwards were held sufficiently for No 8 Joel deClaire to control the ball and link well with Gareth Clancy on most occasions.

Ynysowen’s pressure did however pay off and they were awarded the first opportunity of points from a 30m penalty after 20 minutes. The chance was however squandered. 

On 25 minutes a kick out of defence by the Ynysowen fullback was safely fielded on his own 22m line by his opposite number, John Patterson.  Patterson ran forward before releasing Rob Gill through a disorganised defensive line.  Gill’s strength took him into opposition territory where he found support from debutant second row Liam Spindler.  He was tackled but quick work at the breakdown by deClaire and Geraint Blake presented the ball to David Lakin.  Captain Rhys Lakin was on his shoulder and breaking through a last tackle ran in under the posts from 15m for a try converted by David Lakin.

At this point the Old Pens looked to be the more fluent team and this was further emphasised when a movement that went from one side of the pitch and back again nearly resulted in a try for Chad Wilson. Unfortunately, as he stretched for the line he put his foot in touch.  Fortunately, in the build up to the move the referee had seen an off-side by the Ynysowen defenders under the posts and David Lakin stepped up to kick the penalty

From the kick-off Old Pens made a mistake and handed back the advantage and territory to Ynysowen.  This time they made it pay when from a scrum 25m out they broke to the blindside and created an overlap for the winger who the covering Patterson could not quite hold up on the tryline.  The conversion was successful and the half time score was 10 – 7 to Old Pens

The Ynysowen forwards came out in the second half with renewed urgency and with a plan of attack that did not involve their threequarters.  A strong defensive response was therefore required and led by deClaire, Spindler, Jack Margetson and particularly Wilson the Ynysowen attacks were repelled.

The Ynysowen pressure did however pay off after 12 minutes when from another bind side attack from a scrum a try was scored.  This time the try was unconverted but the home team led 12 – 10.

Penarthians responded with attacking plays that saw Fearghas Gough make good progress down the touchline and Gill brought back after a short pass from Rhys Lakin was adjudged to be forward by the referee when Gill was clean through.

On 20 minutes coach Simon Hurley took the bold step of introducing James Williams onto the wing instead of scrum half Clancy and shuffling his threequarters to allow David Lakin to move to inside half, Jon Crimp to outside half and Gill to the centre.

This new line-up created a couple of chances and resulted in a penalty award from 30m that Lakin pushed wide.

Nerves were now showing in the players and the spectators but the Ynysowen forwards were tiring and this was exploited in the last 10 minutes with Penarthians dominating the possession.  Eventually after several phases of play the ball was released by Lakin to Crimp who threw a miss pass to Blake who crashed over for a try in the corner.  Lakin was successful with the kick.

With six minutes remaining Penarthians held on to win 17 – 12 and in so doing earned their second victory of the season.

It was also a good day for the second XV as they visited Caerau Ely in a CADRU league fixture and emerged victors with the last kick of the game by 13 points to 12 thanks to a Richie Moir penalty. 

Next week Old Penarthians first team are at home to Wattstown who are currently one place higher in the league but on the same number of points.  The second XV are also at home as they entertain Llandaff.  Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 2.30pm.