Fixture

Last Saturday was a much improved performance by Old Penarthians 1^st XV in their Division 5 East Central fixture against table topping, and unbeaten, Pontycymmer but it was unfortunately a first home defeat of the season by 39 points to 15. The loss the previous week away to Ogmore Vale had been an underwhelming performance but the attitude of the players shown against a big Pontycymmer team was a marked step up.  Spectators who saw both games would wonder if the same players were on the field so much better was the commitment and application of the gameplan.

The inclusion of player coach Jake Thomas, after a week on the sidelines due to family commitments, certainly helped with his experience and no-nonsense approach and for the first 60 minutes all the players responded with disciplined attacks and aggressive defence.

In fact, Penarthians started the stronger and attacked from the offset with forays by the forwards led by Tom Sidford, Nathan Harris and Chris Greenfield which led to two kickable penalties within the first ten minutes, one of which was converted by Jon Crimp. Another attack on 15 minutes saw Rhys Lakin break through the Pontycymmer midfield defence to find Jake Thomas and Sidford in support who set Nathan Harris free but he was tackled into touch 5m short of the tryline.

When Pontycymmer did attack Old Penarthians showed a good scramble defence exemplified by Lakin who firstly made a tackle on the left hand on the pitch before racing across the field to make a try saving tackle on the opposite wing. He was ably supported by Rhys Thomas, Mark Sadler and Ieuan Harris.

The good work was undone three minutes later when an opportunity to clear the lines was wasted and Pontycymmer’s strong scrum base allowed the ball to be worked across the pitch for a try in the opposite corner.  The kick was unsuccessful and Old Pens trailed 5-3

From the kick off there was an instant response from the home team when a scrum was awarded for a knock on and Jake Thomas fed the ball to Josh Preece. He judged his pass perfectly to avoid the onrushing defence giving Crimp the room to set Rory Hone through a gap to score a deserved try.  Crimp converted and Old Pens retook the lead 10-5

The lead was not to last until half time however when from a penalty awarded to Pontycymmer for a high tackle in the home team 22, in front of the posts, the visitors opted to kick for touch.  That decision was justified when the lineout was won and the forwards drove forward.  The defence was good but on two occasions the Old Pens were penalised and eventually Pontycymmer scored their second try which was again unconverted and gave a half time score of 10-10.

The second half started with another even contest but on 13 minutes Pontycymmer again turned down the opportunity of a penalty kick at goal and opted for a kick to touch.  After a series of forward drives sucking in the defence space was created on the wing and a try was scored.  This time the kick was successful and Pontycymmer led 17-10

This brought changes to the Old Penarthians pack with Mark Smart and Rhys Thomas making way for Laithan Coombs and Andy Hillbourne, making his first appearance in the senior team for four seasons. Unfortunately, Hillbourne’s day was cut short after three minutes when a knee injury sent him back to the sidelines and Smart returned to the fray. Thomas was also back in the cation soon after when captain Sidford was forced off the pitch with a finger dislocation.

The bad news didn’t end there with Pontycymmer returning to the attack and scoring a well worked threequarters try which was again converted.

Old Penarthians were however not overawed and were soon back in opposition territory and strong runs from Hone and Lakin set up a ruck 5m from the tryline.  Controlled ball from the forwards allowed Preece to consider his options and Ieuan Harris accepted the pass to crash over and score.  At 17-24 there were thoughts of a comeback but the bigger Pontycymmer forward replacements and home team tiredness led a to a penalty and converted try to the visitors in the last eight minutes for a 15-32 scoreline.

Then with the last play of the match with Old Penarthians searching for a try a loose pass went to ground when only 15m from the Pontycymmer tryline and was picked up by a defender who raced the distance for a try under the posts and a conversion for a final score of 15-39.

Next Saturday Old Penarthians are again playing at home.  This time second placed Cefn Coed are the visitors who Old Pens have already played away twice this season losing by one point in the league and drawing in the WRU Cup, to be eliminated on tries scored.  The kick off is scheduled for 2.30pm.