Fixture

Last Saturday was a momentous day for the Old Penarthians, in a year in which they celebrate their centenary, with three of their teams involved in important matches to define their seasons.  Two of the results ended in disappointment but the third was an unqualified success.

Pride of place was taken by the Womens XV who played at the Principality Stadium in the final of the WRU Bowl competition against CRIC Womens team. The result may not have been in their favour with a 34-21 loss but the efforts of all the team, who are only in their third season against a well-established CRIC side, was a credit to themselves, their teammates and their coaches, Kim Seaford-Jones, Andy Clifton and Mark Schropfer. Tries in the match were scored by Kim Seaford-Jones, Jodie Read and Ffion Bowen with three conversions from Lucy Laky, in front of a large enthusiastic home team contingent.

The Youth XV played at home to Brecon in their Cardiff Rugby National Division 1 league fixture and emerged victors by 41-17 victors to maintain their unbeaten record.  That is seven wins out of seven for an unassailable position as league winners.  They now enter into a knockout competition featuring the top four teams where they will play Llantwit Fadre

The last of the games at the weekend featured the Old Penarthians 1^st XV who travelled to Cefn Coed for their last WRU Division 4 East Central league fixture of the season. The Old Pens knew that a victory against a Cefn Coed side, who had already been relegated, would see them survive in the division for another season and not be one of the four teams to be relegated.

Unfortunately, on the day the team were defeated by 30 points to 21 and the travelling support was left disappointed by the result and the promise in a season that had seen competitive performances throughout the campaign but without that bit of luck that would have seen a more healthy position in the league.

The game could not have started more poorly for the Old Pens when they conceded a penalty within two minutes, which was followed three minutes later by a try and then another penalty, all scored by Rhys Bowe for a Cefn Coed lead by 11-0 within 10 minutes.

The home team were certainly more energised but Penarthians eventually manged to get their hands on the ball and launched their own attacks led initially by Luke Crockett and on loan permit player Mackenzie Lewis-Williams. With some territory established Jake Thomas took a tap penalty near the try line and with the support of Tom Sidford, Matt Sting and Josh Allcock recycled quick ball.  Deft hands from Joel deClaire and Rhys Lakin then released Connor Christie to score a try which was converted by captain Jonathan Crimp.

Then came a defining moment in the game when Thomas was shown a yellow card by the referee after 35 minutes for repeat team infringements. In his absence, Cefn Coed added two further tries before the interval through Joe Reardon and Rhys Bowe.  Bowe converted both and Cefn Coed led 25-7.

Old Penarthians started the second half with Tyler Carter on for Crockett and Sidford moving into the front row and soon had an attacking lineout near the opposition tryline.  Unfortunately, Cefn Coed won the ball from the set piece and with their confidence high attacked from deep. The resulting try to Bowe and a 30-7 scoreline looked to have sealed the Old Pens fate however the visitors responded in fine style.

They refused to go down without a fight and were soon camped on the Cefn Coed tryline.  This time good drives from Stingl, James Reynolds and Elliot Dyment-Salmon (on as a substitute for deClaire) presented the ball to Gareth Clancy, playing one of his best games of the season, who sent out a miss pass to Thomas who went over for a try.  Crimp converted.

Knowing the importance of the result in the relegation fight Penarthians played some adventurous rugby with the ball being run from all parts of the field against tiring opposition. One such attack led to Rory Hone forcing himself over the tryline with the help of Carter carrying defenders with them. Crimp again converted for a score of 30-21.

There was still time in the game and one final attack launched from within their own twenty-two saw interpassing between Rhys Lakin, Crimp, Hone and Thomas send Ieuan Harris sprinting for the tryline.  He was unfortunately tackled 2m short and without the necessary support he conceded a penalty at the breakdown and the move was halted.

The last few minutes were frantic but Penarthains made too many errors and despite knowing that one more try and being within seven points of Cefn Coed at the final whistle would have earned two bonus points and in so doing would have avoided relegation because of another result in the league, the Old Pens just came up short.