Three in a row for Old Pens
OLD PENARTHIANS 8
CANTON 5
IT WAS NOT pretty by any stretch of the imagination!
But last Saturday's league victory at home to Canton was the third in succession for Old Penarthians Firsts, and the 4 points achieved meant that the side was able to leapfrog Cowbridge into sixth place of Division 5 South East of the WRU National league.
The galeforce wind blowing across the pitch produced extremely difficult conditions, although the absence of rain meant they were, in fact, just about acceptable for the few spectators prepared to brave the touchlines.
With Chris Dacey and Tom Draper still victims of the previous week's trip to Amsterdam, the Old Boys fielded a new centre partnership of Gareth Davies and Steve Thomas, whilst Lewis Williams, on permit from neighbours Sully, slotted in on the left wing of a remarkably youthful back division.
Play was scrappy in the early period as players of both sides struggled with the conditions.
As a consequence, neither line was under much pressure although the visitors were afforded the first scoring opportunity after 20 minutes. Full back David John's penalty shot from the 10-yard line did, however, fall well short of the target.
Canton continued to enjoy something of a territorial advantage but the hard-tackling Penarthian back row, comprising David James, Mark Smart and Alun Haines, ensured they were kept in check.
It was a measure of their success that the visitors were then reduced to 14 when their flanker failed to release the ball swiftly enough for Referee Owen Daly and found himself sidelined for the statutory 10 minutes associated with a yellow card.
He did, however, return to the fray before the break that came shortly after Scott McCarthy failed to find the target from his 30-yard penalty attempt.
The second half opened with the hosts intent on breaking the deadlock - and this was achieved in the 12th minute.
The Old Boys moved the ball out of defence and were making good progress when Scott McCarthy opted to kick away possession.
His decision was, however, fully justified as the kick was perfectly placed and found touch close to the corner.
Although it was a Canton put-in, the hosts contested successfully and Ben Russon drove towards the front before stretching over for a well-taken score.
McCarthy's conversion attempt into the wind was beautifully struck and deserved a better fate than to rebound from the upright.
Sadly, Penarthians allowed their concentration to lapse from the restart and Canton took full advantage to level the scores, sweeping down the left hand side before good support enabled the ball to be moved inside, where outside half Jamie Morris raced to the line for a touchdown just to the left of the posts.
It was a real let-off for Penarthians that the comparatively simple conversion attempt rebounded from the upright.
Paul Rapley then came on for David James but the hosts suffered a setback when Simon Davies fell foul of Referee Day to earn 10 minutes in the bin.
Canton applied tremendous pressure but the defence remained firm until a great scrum gained the possession that allowed temporary clearance.
Further danger was, however, at hand and another close call came when full back Chris Roberts saw his attempted clearance charged down close to the line. Fortunately Lewis Williams was alert to the danger and he scrambled the ball into touch and safety.
That was, however, nothing to the even greater escape soon after when a penalty was conceded in front of the posts and just 20 yards out.
To the astonishment of all, the 3 points were passed up in favour of a quick tap move that proved abortive, Gareth Davies clearing the lines with a huge kick downfield.
Further changes brought Adrian Penny on for Steve Thomas whilst Mark Glover replaced Alun Haines and the Old Boys, now restored to full numbers, took charge territorially.
Nevertheless, time was fast ebbing without signs of a score until an offside decision produced a penalty award just outside the 25. Foolish indiscipline on the part of a Canton player saw 10 further yards conceded but the 20-yard shot at goal still required nerves of steel.
Fortunately, Scott McCarthy proved equal to the task and the points put the hosts 8 points to 5 to the good only 2 minutes before Referee Daly blew for time.
Although not at their best, Penarthians battled well for this latest success that again reflected the change in attitude amongst the players. Particularly outstanding on this occasion were second row forwards John Boland and Ben Russon.
Boland has injected the necessary steel into pack with his whole-hearted efforts whilst Russon's collaboration with Skipper Mark Smart saw the Old Boys produce some excellent lineout possession.
Once again the front row trio of Taz Rosoman, Tony Kemp, and Lee Brennan resolutely stood their ground and the side was again well served by the Smart, Haines, James breakaway unit.
Behind, conditions made it difficult for halfbacks Simon Davies and Scott McCarthy to exercise complete control and this sadly meant that the best was not seen of the potential of the useful back division comprising Huw Williams, Steve Thomas, Gareth Davies, and Lewis Williams.
Chris Roberts, however, did contribute a couple of strong runs that tested the Canton defence to the full.
Away to neighbours Sully, the Seconds, again under the control of James Williams, proved far too strong for their hosts and, maintaining recent fine form, ran riot to win by 34 points to 15. The Villagers battled hard throughout but had no-one to match the quality of John Colderley who paraded his skills at both full back and centre as he ran in 4 tries personally as well as contributing significantly to most of the Old Boys better efforts.
Rob Benson and John Vaughan were the other try scorers but Colderley showed that his kicking skills were not up to his running, landing only one of 4 conversion attempts, Chris Poole claiming the second.
James Evans was another to do well for the Old Boys in an unlikely double as centre and hooker whilst the leading lights of the pack were an outstanding Paul Kemp together with Rob Benson and Colin Langley.
* Saturday sees the Firsts involved in another crucial match when they travel to Dinas Powys for a local derby timed to kick off at 2.30pm. Despite the currently poor form shown by the Villagers, it is certain that no quarter will be given against the neighbouring visitors and a tough contest is envisaged.
The Seconds, meanwhile, are also in league action as they entertain St Peters.
8:19am Thursday 27th March 2008
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