Old Penarthians v Ynysowen WRU National League Division 4 East Central

The result may not have been in favour of the home team but in the 18-15 defeat there were definite signs of improvement in the performance when compared to the previous away defeat to Llandaff earlier in the month.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half Old Pens were determined to run the ball and there was early evidence of determined running from Rhys Lakin and Rhys Morgan in the threequarters. Josh Mellor, Tom Sidford and Matt Stingl were also prominent with good carries in the forward efforts which saw ball recycled through scrum half Tomos Hillman.

Andy Gill looks to catch the ball in an attacking Old Penarthians lineout

One move in particular saw forwards and backs combining well to produce an overlap for winger Alex Lewis who beat his opposite number, make yards and when tackled keep the ball alive but the supporting player was bundled into touch.

It was however Ynysowen who took the lead on 12 minutes through a penalty kick from Kieran Kinsey. Old Pens were not deterred and continued with their adventurous play and when Rowan Allcock made ground and the forwards took the ball into the opposition half a penalty was awarded to the home team that captain Jonathan Crimp converted to level the scores at 3-3.

The wind however continued to play a factor and good kicking from the Ynysowen half backs ensured that they maintained territorial advantage. From one of those kicks to the corner a lineout was won and despite initial strong defence from Old Penarthians Adam Pyke forced his way over for a try that was converted by Kinsey and a 10-3 lead to the visitors.

Man-of-the-match Rhys Morgan kicks to touch under the watchful eye of the referee

From the kick off the ball was knocked-on and Penarthians were awarded a scrum.

With half time approaching and Old Pens on the attack after good play by Lakin, Morgan and Reynolds and with what looked like an illegal steal at a ruck Ynysowen broke away. Cover tackles by Crimp and Allcock saved the immediate threat but a couple of plays later Jack Forrest scored for the visitors to make the interval score 15-3.

After the break the Penarthians were able to cut the deficit to five points thanks to a try from Sigford, converted by Crimp.

Old Penarthians regroup to consider their next plan of attack

Ynysowen were however determined and returned to Penarthians territory and an off the ball tackle led to Jake Thomas receiving a yellow card and Kinsey kicking the resulting penalty to give the visitors a safety margin on the score sheet.

Penarthians were however not done and another series of lineout drives, any one of which could have led to a penalty try, eventually led to Reynolds scoring his first senior try for the club. With the kick unsuccessful the last 10 minutes left everything to play for with the margin only three points.

However Penarthians could not score the all-important additional try and had to settle for a bonus point in an 18-15 defeat.