Fixture

Another home match for Old Penarthians 1^st XV in WRU league Division 5 East Central last Saturday. Another sixty minute competitive display against Caerau Ely. Another try for Rory Hone, who played another eighty minutes but unfortunately another defeat, this time by 26 points to 13.

It was also another roller coaster ride for the spectators who were encouraged in the early stages by an Old Penarthians team that fronted up to a physical Caerau Ely side unlike the reverse fixture earlier in the season when there appeared to be no spirit for the contest. Eventually however the sustained pressure from the Caerau Ely forwards was too much for a tired Penarthians team to withstand and three tries in the last 18 minutes decided the outcome.

Things had started well for Old Pens as they exerted their own pressure on Caerau with attacking moves through the threequarters with Ieuan Harris and Rory Hone prominent. When the visitors did attack they found a resilient home team defence with Charlie Wheatley, Josh Alcock and Nathan Harris winning turn over balls. From one of those penalty awards a line out was won and a set play saw Hone break through the centre.  He was supported by Jake Thomas and Rhys Thomas who took play into midfield inside the opposition twenty-two.  The referee indicated a penalty but an initial advantage was played.  The recycled ball was however knocked forward and it was back to the penalty in front of the posts.  Josh Preece was successful with the kick and Old Pens led 3-0 after 12 minutes

Caerau then dominated the next 10 minutes and a penalty won at a scrum in front of the home team posts was taken quickly and a try was scored wide out that went unconverted

Old Penarthians were however soon back on the attack and were unlucky when Ieuan Harris intercepted a Caerau move and ran 20m into the opposition half.  He had a neat interchange with Preece who found James Reynolds in support.  He ran close to the tryline but lost his footing in front of the posts.  As the ruck formed the referee was knocked over and he awarded a scrum to Old Pens. 

An early shove by the visitors resulted in a penalty and Penarthians reacted with a smart well-timed move with Preece feeding Nathan Harris in midfield who broke a tackle and released Hone to cross for his sixth try of the season.  Preece converted and Penarthians were back in front 10-5.  A score that was to be taken into the half time interval

Old Pens continued at the start of the second half in an attacking vein but an interception by Caerau inside their own twenty -two saw them attack down the wing and only a great cover tackle from Ieuan Harris saved a certain try.

It did however give Caerau the territory they required for their forward orientated strategy and it paid off after 20 minutes when, despite spirited defence through six or seven phases of play, Caerau crossed for their second try which was converted for a 12-10 lead

That lead was extended after 24 minutes when Caerau forced their way over for another converted try for a 19-10 scoreline

Penarthians continued to press and Preece made some shrew decisions behind the forwards to allow Craig Haines, Hone, Reynolds and Wheatley to take the attack to Caerau.  Eventually, with eight minutes remaining, a penalty was awarded to the home team and with the opportunity of three points for a successful kick and the score difference being reduced to six, captain Connor Christie opted for the posts.  Preece duly delivered and it was ‘game-on.’

It was however not to be, when the restart was knocked-on and gave Caerau the field advantage again.  It was an advantage they were not to relinquish and a try with three minutes remaining sealed the Old Penarthians fate with a 26 point to 13 point defeat.

There are no more league fixtures for the 1^st XV now until the New Year but before the away trip to Hirwaun on 4^th January there is the annual Boxing Day clash with Penarth RFC to look forward to which this year will be held at the Athletic Field.

And for those who would like to see the next generation of potential Old Penarthains 1^st XV players in action the Club’s Youth XV is playing at Cardiff Arms Park in the final of the Cardiff Blues Premiership Cup against Merthyr Youth on Saturday 21^st December with a kick off at 6.30pm