Fixture

Match Result:  Ferndale 24 Old Penarthians 16

An away trip to Ferndale still evokes memories of a victory gained on a waterlogged pitch in torrential rain in November 2015 and whilst the pitch was playable the Rhondda Valley mists and drizzle still swept across the Old Penarthians 1^st XV players for their Division 4 East Central league fixture last weekend.

The weather did not however stop an entertaining encounter between the two teams who had drawn their early season match in Penarth but this time the home team were to be victorious by 24-16.

The match started well with Old Penarthians dominating possession for the first seven minutes with attacking plays led by the forwards through Tom Sidford, Elliot Dymont-Salmon and Jake Thomas.  A Jonathan Crimp penalty was a justified reward after a series of penalties given away by the home team could not be converted into tries from close range forays.

Ferndale were however soon attacking and only a great cover tackle by fullback Ieuan Harris chasing back prevented a Ferndale score.  It however led to a Ferndale scrum 5m out from the try line but the Ferndale scrumhalf knocked the ball forward under pressure from Rhys Thomas and their opportunity for a try was lost.

After a missed Ferndale penalty kick Penarthians were back on the attack through Dymont-Salmon, Rowan Allcock and Gareth Clancy and another infringement on 27 minutes allowed Crimp to increase the Old Pens lead to six points.

The lead was however closed to one point three minutes later when Jordan Morgan scored a try for Ferndale but the conversion was unsuccessful. The try also saw Allcock leave the field of play with an injured shoulder to be replaced by Richie Moir.

Just before the interval Ferndale then took the lead through a try by Conor Morgan which many Old Pens players thought had been knocked-on in the build-up but was unseen by the referee. Nathan John converted and the home side led for the first time 12-6.

There was still time for a break out from defence by Old Penarthians with Craig Haines making progress in midfield and allowing Connor Christie to run into the opposition twenty-two.  The ball was recycled by the supporting forwards of James Reynolds and Charlie Wheatley and with the ball going all the way across the backline to the opposite wing Josh Allcock was bundled into touch for the half time whistle to blow.

Just after half time Haines was replaced by Rhys Lakin at centre and he was quickly involved in an attack which led to Andy Gill making a break on the blindside of a ruck and when tackled he manged to release the ball to winger Moir.  He beat his opposite number and with the full back closing in to tackle kicked ahead to win the race for a touchdown in the corner.  The conversion was unsuccessful but the lead had been reduced to a point.

At this point in the game and in the heavy going underfoot the disadvantage of the Old Pens playing with only fourteen players due to the absence of a competitive front row was beginning to take its toll and Ferndale exploited the situation by spreading the ball wide. From one of those attacks only a strong cover tackle Reynolds forced the winger into touch at the corner flag preventing a try.

The Ferndale winger was however successful 10 minutes later when after sustained tryline pressure that was resolutely defended by the Old Pens for more than ten phases he scored under the posts for a converted try.

Another Ferndale try after 35 minutes just about sealed the victory but it was Old Pens who finished the stronger when Henry Kynaston, on a substitute for Clancy, carried the ball out of defence into midfield.  When he was tackled a penalty was awarded and was quickly taken by Jake Thomas.  He passed to Crimp who fed Lakin.  Lakin made progress and with Reynolds on his shoulder a final pass sent the hooker swerving outside the cover defence to score in the corner.

There was time for one more attack but the referee then ended the match with Old Pens unable to collect a losing bonus point which their wholehearted performances deserved.

Old Penarthians next game is on Tuesday 26^th December at home to a Penarth RFC in the annual Boxing Day fixture. Kick off is scheduled for 11.30am.