Fixture

After another break for Six Nations internationals Old Penarthians returned to WRU National League Division 4 East Central league action away to top-of-the-table Llandaff.  And it was a much changed team that took to the pitch following a 5-5 draw with Llandaff North.  In that match Old Penarthians were able to field a competitive front row and a full contingent of substitutes.  In this fixture the game had to start with uncontested scrums and a single substitute.

Coach Jake Thomas and captain Jon Crimp were very disappointed with the lack of commitment from their absent colleagues but understood that the fragmented season and the limited size of the squad meant that days like this were inevitable.

It must be said that all those that played in the match are to be congratulated for their efforts and wholehearted performances.  Unfortunately heart alone does not win matches and it is to be hoped that for the remainder of the season that players will commit to the seven matches that are still to be played.

The bare bones of the match were that Llandaff prevailed by 61 points to 10, scoring nine tries through Gabe Santos (2), Tom McNee (2), Doug Wilson (2), Ewan Skuse, Josh Palmer and Mackenzie Sinclair and eight conversions, Rees Edmonds (3), Ethan Davies (5)

The two Old Penarthians’ tries were scored either side of half time by Alex Lewis and Josh Allcock

This does not however tell the full story and Old Penarthians were grateful to Llandaff for their cooperation both prior to the game and through the eighty minutes. Initially, Llandaff allowed the visitors the opportunity to start the game with a full complement of players, despite opting for passive scrums in the absence of a qualified front row.  In accordance with the laws this should have resulted in a one man reduction throughout the game.  Then during the game Llandaff ‘lent’ the Old Pens two players when their numbers were reduced through injuries.

In some quarters this may have seemed that Llandaff were overconfident and always considered that they were going to win however the gestures were made without hesitation in the full spirit of what rugby was ‘back in the day’ and which could be still be a spirit of mutual regard now.  It helped of course that the two coaches Jake Thomas and Mike Conner knew each other from working at the WRU and the respect they had for one another.

It was also pleasing that Old Penarthians were able to field three products of the Youth set-up in James Reynolds, Tyler Carter and Max Chandler and they were joined by another eighteen year-old, Louie Gwatkin, playing on permit from Penarth RFC.

The match started poorly for Old Pens conceding a try inside 5 minutes but they fought hard with determined defence for the rest of the half. They also had their attacking moments which culminated in a forward drive on the right hand side of the pitch inside the Llandaff twenty-two and with the ball recycled Tom Sidford, playing like a centre, threw a pass missing out three players into the arms of Alex Lewis who scored a try wide-out on the left touchline.  The conversion from Crimp was unsuccessful. That left the half time score 33-5 in favour of Llandaff.

Penarthians continued to battle and after ten minutes of the restart a series of penalties kicked downfield by Rhys Morgan allowed the pack to drive forward from a line out, taken cleanly by Carter, and from the ensuing ruck quick hands from Tomos Hillman gave Josh Allcock room to crash over in the corner for a try.

This 5-0 second half lead lasted until the 23^rd minute when eventually tiredness took over and Llandaff ran in a further four tries to make the final score 61-10

Tom Sidford and James Reynolds (who made three try saving defensive tackles) were rightly presented with the joint men-of-the match award, however a mention must also go to Rowan Allcock who despite carrying an injury for most of the game was resolute under the high ball and always showed attacking intent which epitomised the spirit in the whole team.

There is now another two week break before the 1^st XV start their end of season run in with a home match against Ynysowen on 25^th March. Kick off at 2.30pm