A new tradition began on Boxing Day as near neighbours Penarth and Old Penathians continued their annual contest (which has been going since the dawn of time, of course), only this time competing for the Richard Thomas Shield. This trophy has been presented by a group of former Penarth & Old Pens. players to commemorate Richard Thomas, a former No 8 for both clubs.

While the two clubs have not opposed each other in the same division for some years now, recent years have seen an increasing interest in presenting a real spectacle in what has traditionally been a closely-fought game and this year something approaching first-choice XVs were fielded.

Penarth started with the strong breeze from the Lavernock Road end. It was soon evident that their pack were going to be the deciding factor, as they took early control of both scrum and lineout. The first score duly arrived within the first ten minutes from a forward drive that saw hooker Mason Good touching down and James Docherty converting. With this score, the outside-half broke Craig Miller’s all-time Penarth club points record of 1171, setting a new mark of 1181 by the end of the game.

Although the territorial advantage lay firmly with the home side the Old Pens defended well and were able to stop numerous assaults which really ought to have resulted in further scores. The only additional points scored were 2 penalties from the boot of James Docherty which opened up a half- time lead of 13-0 for the hosts.

As the teams changed ends, there was naturally speculation as to whether the wind advantage to the visitors would be worth more or less than 13 points. Within the first 5 minutes, Old Pens had secured a penalty and John Crimp reduced the arrears to 13-3.

Fortunately for the hosts, the Penarth forwards continued to dominated proceedings, forcing the Old Pens back into their own half. The occasional handling errors with the slippery ball by both sides resulted in promising moves falling short.

Rhys Lakin teamed up with Lloyd Davey in the Old Pens’ back division and made several attempts to breach the Penarth defence, but without success. The stalemate continued right up to the final move of the game, as Penarth moved the ball smoothly through the forwards to the three-quarters and Alex Thau touched down under the posts, with James Docherty adding the extras.

Next Saturday brings a return to league action for Penarth as they visit 11th-placed Pontyclun. The hosts have not enjoyed the best of campaigns, having won only two games and lost the earlier corresponding fixture at the Athletic Field 27-11.

Division 2 East Central

Saturday 2nd January 2016

Pontyclun v PENARTH

Windsor Field, Llantrisant Road, Pontyclun

Kick-off 2.30pm

Mackie club captain
The club is pleased to announce that back-rower Scott Mackie has been confirmed as the club captain for the second season running, with blockbusting centre Tom Luck as his Vice-Captain. Both Mackie and Luck have played for and captained Penarth Youth. “I am pleased Scott has accepted to captain the side again this season. He has made tremendous progress and has become increasingly influential as the season wore on,” Head Coach Paul Williams said.

Seconds fixtures
The addition to a Second XV programme will keep team manager Stephen Newman busy this season. The first match of Penarth Seconds will be played against Rumney Seconds on September 8th Kick off time 7.30. Former Neath Outside half Paul Williams, will carry as Head Coach with David Morgan and former captain Gary Power as assistant coaches.

Youth input
The link of the senior club with the Youth section has never been stronger, with several former Youth players including Mason Good, Matt Jones, Kieran Carpenter, Tom Smith, Tom Hillman and Alan Doyle making their senior debut during the past season. In addition this year’s Youth crop Matt Allen, Harry Roberts, Rob Rees and Nick Boudier have commenced training with the senior squad, and played during the summer warm-up matches. The Youth coached by former Wales B centre Colin Laity helped by Andre Pyman and Richard Smith, the chairman of Youth, finished top of the Blues League table, but were denied the winners medals by the WRU who controversially awarded Cowbridge Youth the League title. Unfortunately, a severe illness is preventing Pyman from coaching this season, but the youngsters have wished him speedy recovery and hope to have him back as soon as possible

This was a weird and ultimately disappointing game which Penarth should have won, despite all the problems they had stacked up against them. It all started on a brilliantly sunny day over at Waterhall Park with a stiff breeze in the Seasiders’ faces. They took a little time to settle and, by the time eight minutes were up, trailed by fourteen points.
Not a great start; home flankers Ryan Evans and Luke O’Brien registered a try apiece, the second from a charged-down clearance and Penarth had yet to get out of their own half. The restart brought better news, though, as Fairwater were done for crossing and James Docherty pulled back three points from the penalty.

The wind continued to do most of the hosts’ work for them, but the Seasiders refused to wilt and despite constant pressure they conceded only a further six points while being reduced to 14 men and scoring another penalty of their own. Just as they returned to full strength, Fairwater lost one of their own players to the bin and Penarth lost lock Jon Boland to a leg injury. The penalty was kicked to touch and although Aaron Ellis took it well at the front of the line-out, the drive was held up. A five-metre scrum to the Seasiders and the ball was worked out wide to Ben Donovan who applied the usual finishing touch to score in the corner. Docherty converted from the touchline and the sides turned round with the hosts a manageable 20-13 in the lead.
Penarth continued in the second half where they’d left off and the third quarter belonged to them in no uncertain terms. Docherty reduced the arrears to four points as the Seasiders sent in waves of attacks, but without further reward. Andy Pyman replaced Tom Gent and the one-way traffic continued, but with the addition of a further injury as Tom Luck was stretchered off.
The turning point was probably the bewildering yellow card awarded to Owain George with fifteen minutes to go. Fairwater were simply not in the game and tiring rapidly, while the only thing that was preventing Penarth from scoring and probably running away with the game was a string of handling errors.
While the perplexed scrum-half was cooling his heels, Fairwater were able to raise the siege and were starting to play in the visitors’ half. The Seasiders might yet have won and probably should have, only they needed to avoid conceding a further score. This duly arrived fully seventy minutes after they’d scored their previous try as hooker Michael Andrews squeezed in for the winning points.
Having started with a much-changed fifteen, it was doubly unlucky t o lose a further three players (Andy Pyman had limped off with three minutes to go), but even so, this was a game that was there for the taking and Penarth, having played well over the four games so far find themselves with ground to make up with 11th-placed Nantymoel visiting the Athletic Field this coming Saturday.
PENARTH Rhys Morgan, Ben Donovan, Tom Luck, James Candy, James Crothers, James Docherty, Owain George, Sean O’Sullivan, Joe Page, Tom Gent [Andy Pyman], Aaron Ellis, Jon Boland [Mike Clare], Scott Mackie, Alex Thau, Matt Sutton

Swalec League Division 3(SE)
Saturday 29th September 2012
PENARTH v Nantymoel
The Athletic Field, Lavernock Road
Kick-off 2.30pm

Why not come and support your local rugby team with a welcome from some old and new friends. Membership of the club will entitle you to use the Athletic Club and free entry to home league fixtures.

If you are interested in becoming a member please contact Sara Siddall at membership@penarthrfc.co.uk or call her on 07798 501279 for an application form.

The first game of the season is at Pentyrch on Saturday 1 September at 2.30pm and the first home game is against Cardiff Quins on Saturday 15 September again at 2.30pm.

For further details and information about pre–season friendlies please visit the new website www.penarthrfc.co.uk

Awards went to the following

Clubman of the Year – Dai Morgan
Most Improved Player – Scott Mackie
Cogan Coronation Player of the Year – Chris Mortimer
Player of the Year – James Crothers
Kevin Bush Memorial Trophy – Chris Thau

Caps were given for over 100 games played to Sean O’Sullivan, Chris Mortimer and Liam Bevan

Congratulations to all!