Penarth RFC Youth sink the Pirates on their annual tour to Cornwall

Annual Tour – Friday 20 April 2018

Last Friday saw 43 intrepid travellers from Penarth RFC Youth section set off from the Penarth Athletic ground for their annual tour to Cornwall which saw a great weekend rounded off by the Penarth boys overwhelming a Penzance Pirates colts team by 60 points to 5.

On a glorious Friday afternoon, the 29 players, 3 coaches, 2 committee, 4 dads and 4 ‘Special’ chaperones set off from the Penarth club with both excitement and slight trepidation, as last years tour lasted all of 40 minutes before the bus broke down at the Pontprennau services, and there was always the fear for many that if the bus broke down again, the diet coke and flavoured water would run out in the heat of the day. However, a heartfelt cheer went out from the bus when it passed, at great speed, last years breakdown destination and everyone knew the trip was ‘on’ and the boys were well on their way.

Everyone on the bus relaxed, and within hours ‘Sospan Fach’ was being belted out by the lead chaperone Morgan Smith to everyone’s joy, a ‘joy’ that was repeated on many occasions during the tour.

As the dads chatted about the tactics for the game and the political situation of the Brexit ‘in’ or ‘out’ debate, with great dexterity, several of the younger players, on the roll of a dice, played ‘skydiving’ much to the joy of all on board and many cars which passed the bus, tooting their horns in admiration of the skills of balance by the players. Needless to say this was completed by the more agile of players and not a mission for the bigger boys.

After a short stop at the Taunton Dean services where the boys got a round of applause from a school group for their fancy dress apparel, the team managed to replenish their food stock, (despite a bomb threat at one point), for the onward journey to Newquay.

Having arrived at their, what can only be described as luxurious and unique hotel with stunning views over the old Newquay harbour and quaint basement bar, the tour party were joined by several members of the clergy in order that prayers could be taken before the boys ventured out to sample the tea rooms of Newquay.

Early to bed, the team travelled on Saturday, the short distance from Newquay to Penzance to take on the Colts team, and with a stern warning from the Penarth coaches that losing against English opposition was not an option at the start of the game, the Penarth boys turned on the style, which saw the opening try after only 6 minutes to centre Aron Arthur, after good work by the Penarth eight, who were magnificent in the scrum area, with young front row forwards Yaz Ghandour and Matt Hocking dominating their older opposition supported by second rows Owain Jones and Will Parsons and a back row of Thaine Baker Tom Faz and Ellis Smith.

It was only 8 minutes later that the Penarth boys struck again when wing Luke Pringle, on as a blood replacement for Mike Halligan, finished off a great back line move which was started by outside half Ben Jones and centre Toby Dyer, Pringle stealing potential glory from wing Halligan, who stood on the side line in disbelief whilst stemming the blood from his nose.

It was obvious that the young Penarth starting line up were dominating early play as the Pirates struggled to cope with the speed and skills of the Penarth team, and it was only 17 minutes further into the game when Arthur struck for his second try of the game and take the score to 0 -21.

A further try for Penarth came from ‘openside’ flanker Thaine Baker who scored what can only be described as a stunning try after connecting with second row Will Parsons in a ballet like dance, which saw the two players weave, side step and switch their way down the pitch for the flanker to score under the posts for the’ try’ of the match. This moved the score rapidly on to 0-28, however, as the boys started to relax in the sun, the Pirates stole a score back, and at half time the teams turned around at 5 -28.

Most pleasing for the Penarth coaches at the half time point, was that the impressive first half team consisted of all the players which will be available for next year’s season for the Penarth RFC Youth.

The second half gave the opportunity for the coaches to send on the ‘senior’ boys of the squad for their last tour game for the youth, knowing that the ‘cavalry’ would not make life any easier for the Penzance side. With only 4 minutes on the clock and with a dominant Penarth pack that was pushing back the Pirates at a rate of knots, the back line attacked the opposition, and it was Harry Williams who stormed over for Penarth’s 5th Try and take the score to 5 -33.

The sixth try came from Captain and centre George Roberts who seems to be scoring more tries in the latter part of the season as he gets closer to the awards night, and the sublime running skills of the centre took him under the posts after only 6 minutes of the second half and Penarth into a commanding 5 points to 38 lead.

The wind had well and truly been blown out of the Pirates sails and further tries for Luc Kean-Adams, Luke Pringle and Rhys ‘Hit Man’ Beynon stormed the defensive lines of the Pirates and the game ended with the score of the Penzance Pirates 5 Penarth RFC Youth 60.

Following a drink at the Pirates clubhouse and the exchange of speeches, which included a fascinating short speech on the history of the Baa Baas connection with the Penarth club by coach Dai Williams, a return to the hotel gave the boys an opportunity to relax, making full use of the leisure complex at the hotel before experiencing the delights of the Cornish fishing village, to celebrate the outstanding victory of the day.

A quieter return journey on Sunday gave the squad an opportunity to relax and rest, whilst Vice Chair of the Youth ‘Mello’ Marsh sought fascinating ways of inducing hair growth on those dads with a thinning hair line, what fun.

A great weekend was had by all, and the great spirit of the team showed both on and off the pitch by players, coaches, committee and dads alike.

Chair and coach Simon Rees told the Penarth Times ‘ A big thank you goes to the many parents and sponsors who have supported the team for the season and during the annual tour, this has created a great team spirit which has shown itself both on and off the pitch throughout the season’.

Ends

 

Picture shows centre Rhys Beynon in action