Fixture

With relegation avoided from WRU Division 3 East Central (B) the week before, in the game against Hirwaun, it was just a case of Old Penarthians finishing their season away to champions elect Tylorstown last Saturday

The weather was warm and a large crowd turned out to support the home team in what they were hoping would be their crowning match.  And Old Penarthians certainly didn’t turn up to spoil the party.  It was as if the victory the week before had entitled the team to an early day out to the beach to enjoy the weather rather than seeing out their commitment to their team mates.

It was a particular let down to captain Rhys Lakin that once again the bear fifteen players travelled to Tylorstown and the match had to be played with uncontested scrums. It does not do justice to the hard work that Rhys puts in on the pitch and in the organisation for matches and it is hoped that all players will look at what should be achieved with commitment and the right attitude

The Old Pens players who took to the pitch on Saturday could not be criticised for their efforts, but they were outplayed by a very good Tylorstown team in a 50 points to 5 defeat.  Tylorstown played with a style that was not one dimensional and did not just rely on a power game through the forwards.  They had enterprise behind the scrum and even a full strength Old Penarthians team would have struggled in the fixture.  Tylorstown will be a good edition to Division 3 East Central (A) next season where one of their opponents will be Penarth RFC.

The match itself was played for the majority of the time in the Penarthians half of the field and the territorial map would have shown at least 50% territory and possession to Tylorstown in the 22m area of the pitch.

It was therefore a rear-guard contest throughout with only stout defence maintaining a reasonable scoreline. Particular credit must go to Mark Sadler and Rowan Allcock for their determined tackling and if either of them want new careers as flankers they would be worthy additions.  They tackled everything that moved and both had enough energy to make gains in attack. 

Sadler in the first half broke the gain line after some good work from Jon Crimp and Lakin. Allcock had the break of the game when he stole a ball at a maul inside his own half and ran strongly into opposition territory.  After 30m he found support from Rob Rees but he was unfortunately bundled into touch 5m from the tryline.

The lineout functioned well and Reggie Blake found his targets of Liam Spindler and Rees on most occasions.  The passive nature of the scrum meant that Gareth Clancy was able to get the ball away to the threequarters unopposed but too many handling errors cost the Old Pens possession and momentum.

Old Pens did prevent the first Tylorstown score until the eleventh minute of the game but thereafter the scores came at regular intervals.  A half time score of 24 – 0 was a true reflection of the contest.

In fact, a come-back may have been on the cards after eight minutes of the second half when Tylorstown found themselves unexpectedly deep in their own half and they tried to move the ball wide across their backs.  A stray pass however went to ground and Fearghas Gough was the first player to react, picking up the loose ball and sprinting to the corner to reduce the deficit to 24 -5.

This was however to be the highlight of the match and normal service was resumed soon after.  Penarthians did try to attack on the occasions they had the ball, but it was often deep within their own half.  Crimp and Lakin tried to be inventive and Jon Patterson, Alex Lewis and James Williams all made attempts to break down the defence but it was not to be.

At the sound of the final whistle the Tylorstown players and spectators celebrated and the Penarthians players joined in the applause when they were presented with the league trophy.

It is now a summer break for the players who are not already on the beach and it is hoped that they will all be fit and ready for the new season when training starts again in July.