Fixture

Match Result:  Old Penarthians 22 Brackla 27

Following the home draw against Ferndale at the end of September Old Penarthians first XV returned to action at home to Brackla on Saturday 21^st October in Division 4 East Central league fixture. Confidence amongst the squad was high after a well-attended training session in the week leading up to the game and the availability of 28 players for selection including front row forwards with cover.

The day also saw the launch of the new centenary playing kit, kindly sponsored by Robertsons Solicitors of Cardiff.  In an informal presentation prior to the game each member of match day squad was presented with their playing shirts by former captains of the club who had also worn those shirt numbers.  In all nineteen former captains were in attendance to present the kit which reverted back closely to the colours and design of the original Old Penarthians shirts.

The game started after the team ran through a guard of honour formed by the Mini & Junior section, who will be the future as the club steps forward into it’s second hundred years.

And for the first 10 minutes Old Penarthians held the upper hand with forwards and backs combining well on the back of strong scrummaging from front row Luke Crockett, James Reynolds and James Greenfield.  Drives from Jake Thomas, Tom Sidford and Joel deClaire were carried into opposition territory and Gareth Clancy, Craig Haines and Rowan Allcock were on hand to continue the moves.  From one of those attacks Brackla were adjudged to have made a high tackle and Facey stepped up to kick the three-point penalty.

On 28 minutes a series of rucks in midfield saw Jonathan Crimp pass to Reynolds who broke a tackle to pass to Andrew Gill who scored unopposed for Facey to convert and a Penarthian 10-0 lead.

A malaise of the Old Pens is however their inability to receive kick-offs from the restart and yet again a mistake led to an immediate penalty chance for Brackla which was converted by Ryan Miles. Penarthians were however soon back on the attack and when a try scoring pass looked obvious the ball was slapped away and a Brackla player saw yellow. Old Pens tried to make the extra number pay and several try line efforts were repelled when a Brackla player appeared to have handled the ball illegally but a petulant slap from Clancy saw the penalty reversed and a yellow card awarded.

Brackla may not have had much territory but with the last plays of the half they forced themselves into the home team half, in part due to Old Pens indiscipline, and from a line out penalty that became a scrum, a blindside foray broke a tackle to allow Dan John to cross for a try.  Miles converted and the half time score was 10-10.

With changes at half time seeing the introduction of Charlie Wheatley and Liam Brooks for Gill and Crockett following the injury replacement of deClaire by Rhys Thomas earlier in the game Penarthians were soon back on the attack and good passing close to the scrum led to an opportunity to spread the ball wide. Unfortunately, Brackla’s John read the play and intercepted a Haines pass to race in from 60m to score for Miles to convert after 3 minutes

The Old Pens had however recognised that attacks via the threequarters were the best way to score and sure enough after a mid-field scrum slick handling left Rowan Alcock in space and he outsprinted his winger to score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful

After the try Mark Sadler replaced Richie Moir and Connor Christie replaced Haines.  And an immediate impact saw Sadler take an inside ball from Crimp for a ruck to be set up.  Quick ball found the support and a pass to Rory Hone saw him score in the corner for his debut try for the club. This time the conversion from Facey was good and Penarthians led 22-17.

Another ‘butchered’ kick off however led to an immediate three points to Brackla from a penalty by Huw Rosser. It now became a nervous 10 minutes for the home support and when Christie was put through a gap with a clear run to the tryline Penarthians hopes of a first win of the season were high but the referee thought that the pass was forward and brought the move to a halt.

That was not the last twist however when Brackla scored a final try from a poor defensive kick to touch from within the 22 and a charge down led to Phil Cresswell scoring and Miles converting to make the score  22-27.

Penarthians restart went into mid-field and Brackla were back on the attack with a move that ended with a home team infringment just outside their 22 and to the right of the posts. To most people's surprise Brackla turned down the opportunity of three points which would have denied Old Pens a losing bonus point and kicked the ball off the field to onfirm the final score of 22-27

There is another two-week break in the fixture list to avoid the World Cup Final and Old Penarthians next 1^st XV game is away to Pontycymer. In the meantime, however a 2^nd XV game has been arranged at home against Pontyclun with a 2.30pm kick off