Fixture

Last Saturday in almost perfect playing conditions Old Penarthians entertained Llandaff North in their latest WRU Division 3 SE Central (B) fixture.  Despite their lowly position in the league, Llandaff North came with a strong scrummage that dominated the home team pack and ensured that the result was uncertain until the last play of the match.  Fortunately, it was the Old Pens that scored the vital points with the last play of the game and emerged the victors by 20 points to 16.

The match started poorly for the Old Pens when after only 5 minutes Jack Griffiths scored a try in the corner for Llandaff North after outpacing the defenders.  A conversion from the touchline by Rob Sweetman was successful and the Cardiff team led 7 – 0.

This score was increased by a Sweetman penalty on nine minutes when a missed kick to touch was returned by the Llandaff North fullback and at the ensuing ruck Penarthians offended.  

At this stage there was an air of complacency about the Old Penarthians and captain Rhys Lakin had some strong words for the team not to take the opposition lightly. 

The response came after 15 minutes when a scrum under pressure saw Joel deClaire control the ball and pass to Gareth Clancy.  He passed to Chris Poole who made ground before passing to John Patterson on the wing.  He ran 15m down the touchline and as the opposition fullback came to tackle Patterson passed back inside to Poole to cross for a try.  Jon Crimp converted and Penarthians trailed by 3 points.

Penarthians threequarter play was now causing Llandaff North difficulties and after one break clean from Mark Sadler, which he inexplicitly dropped when through the tackle, the forwards manged to regain the ball and Llandaff North were penalised.  The penalty attempt by Crimp was pulled wide but two minutes later from almost the same spot Crimp was successful curtesy of a strike against the post.

Despite the scrum being under pressure the line out functioned well throughout the half with deClaire regularly finding the targets of James Beaton and Josh Allcock.  From one such line out on the right-hand side of the pitch the ball was won cleanly and the moved along the back line to allow replacement winger Matt Sutton a surge that almost led to a try on the opposite touchline.

Further attacking play with interpassing between Poole and Patterson saw an inside scoring pass deliberately knocked on by the Llandaff North outside half who was ‘rewarded’ with 10 minutes on the side-lines.  On another day it may have been a red card as the offence was committed near the tryline with no other defenders in the vicinity.

The ensuing penalty was kicked to touch, the line out won and with Tom Sidford and Adan Cole to the fore the forwards drove over the tryline.  Spectators close to the action thought Beaton had scored but the referee was unsighted and awarded a five-metre scrum.  The ball was won and Lakin ran at the defence.  Llandaff North were penalised, and Crimp’s kick was successful for Old Pens to lead 13 -10

This score was nullified 3 minutes later with another Sweetman penalty and the half time score was 13 – 13.

At half time a change in the pack saw Gary Bishop replace Scott Mackie and at scrum half Tom Hillman replaced Clancy.

The second half did not start favourably and in only the second minute Sweetman had a chance to retake the lead but was wide with his attempt at goal.  He was more successful after 10 mins however and Penarthians trailed by three points.

At this stage James Roach replaced Allcock.  The line out continued to function and Callum Wingren, Beaton, Cole and Sam Hall all carried the attack to the opposition forwards. Too often however attacks in midfield were negated and the Llandaff North number eight won the loose ball.

Penarthians kept up the good work however and the game was decided with the last play of the game.  On 80 minutes the referee awarded Penarthians a penalty on the 22m line.  The chance was kickable but Lakin declined the option.  A kick to the corner ensued.  The lineout was cleanly taken by Roach and the forwards drove forward from 8m out.  At some point winger Sutton had joined the rumble and it was he that dropped over the line to score.  After jubilant celebrations, Crimp slotted the conversion and Penarthians had won 20 – 16. 

Next Saturday the first XV play at home in the WRU Bowl against division 3 SE Central (A) table toppers Fairwater.  The second XV are also at home in a Ron Lucock Cup match against Cathays.  Both games kick off at 2.30pm.