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18 March 2019 / Club News

Bridgend Athletic mini and juniors reports 17/3/19

Under 7s Match Report:

 

The U7s travelled to Ogmore Vale for a round robin with Valley Ravens & Maesteg Celtic. The Ath had quite a few players missing but still managed to take a squad of 18 players. Two pitches were set up with the Ath fielding two teams there was plenty of game time for everyone. Great rugby was displayed by all four teams with rugby being the only winner. Well done to Riley Thomas on a great debut for the club. Bridgend Athletic joined Valley Ravens in wearing odd socks for the games to support World Down Syndrome Day on Thursday.

 

U8’s Match Report 17th March 2019

 

On Sunday, the U8’s were looking forward to their second outing of the week, having taking on Pyle and Porthcawl in a round robin under floodlights on Wednesday evening. Thanks to a let up in the weather, their scheduled trip to Ogmore Vale for a round robin with the Valley Ravens and Pencoed got the green light.

 

The Ath U8’s, as always turned up with a strong squad so were able to field 2 teams. Unfortunately the large number of other age groups in attendance resulted in a shortage of available playing area, the outcome of which was that only 1 pitch was allocated for the 3 clubs in the 8’s age group.

 

To prevent the Ath’ boys having to stand around for long periods between games, the Bridgend teams were changed over in full on the half time mark. These frequent team changes proved a challenge for the Bridgend boys but one they approached with their usual level of enthusiasm and adaptability. It proved difficult to find a rhythm or continuity but the Ath’ still put together some exciting passages of play, at times turning the opposition defences inside out with their elusive running and offloading.

 

The Ath’ boys all put in a great shift and yet again delivered a very respectable set of results, against some tough opposition, winning 3 and drawing 3.

 

In addition to the rugby, a mention must also be given to the great support shown for World Down Syndrome Awareness Day by our players and their families! All the boys turned out sporting their odd socks, with the vast array of different styles, some wacky, proving quite a spectacle.

 

Under 9s Match Report:

 

On Weds 13th March the U9s took a squad of 22 players to Pyle RFC. The Ath fielded two teams who all played against Bonymaen, Bridgend Sports & Pyle. It was a great evening of rugby with the Ath winning 4 and losing 1. Try scorers were Rudi Quinn 3, Ethan Davies 3, Dylan Jones 3, Seth James 2, Grayson Lewis Whelan 2, Harry Clark 2, Osian Lord 2, Ewan Gill & Oliver Turvey. Stand out performers in defence were Seth James, Grayson Lewis Whelan, Regan Henly, Osian Lord, Rudi Quinn, Dylan Jones, Max Edwards & Rhys Cawley. Well done to Owain Williams on a great debut for the club.

On Sunday 17th March the U9s had 24 players available, the Ath’s two teams were joined by Tondu & Maesteg Celtic on the 4G at Parc Derwen. It was a great morning of rugby with all four teams getting plenty of game time. Out of the two games against Tondu the Ath won 1 and lost 1 and out of the two games against Maesteg Celtic the Ath also won 1 and lost 1. Try scorers were Ethan Davies 5, Ethan Morris 3, Osian Kenny 2, Dylan Jones 2, Mason Brown, Rudi Quinn, Oliver Turvey & Harry Clark. Stand out performers in defence were Osian Kenny, Regan Henly, Mason Brown, Rudi Quinn, Ethan Davies & Jude Lewis. Both Tondu and Maesteg Celtic joined the Ath in wearing odd socks to support World Down Syndrome Day on Thursday.

 

Bridgend Athletic U10s travelled to Cwmafan Sunday to play the hosts and Bridgend Sports, with the boys choosing to wear odd socks in support of Down Syndrome Awareness Day next week. All teams agreed to play 12 a side to allow more game time for the 3 large squads. First up for the Ath were Bridgend Sports. The green and golds started strongly, a well planned move from the scrum saw good dummy runs from the backs to create space in the Sports defense. The ball moved its way to Jackson on the half way line and the district player carved through the defense with ease, out pacing 4 defenders to touch down for the first try. The second half saw another solo effort from the halfway, this time Albert used all his power to storm through the defense for Aths 2nd. An attacking scrum 10m out saw fly half Ollie go blind for an impressive score. Evan must have been paying close attention to the 6 nations games yesterday replicating Finn Russells try, intercepting on the half way line to score. A consolation try at the final whistle left the scoreline Ath 4 Sports 1.

 

Cwmafan proved sterner competition, competing well at the ruck and turning over possesion at key times. The Ath started strongly, counter rucking from Jackson turned over ball and the speedster ran through to score. Cwmafan responded almost immediately with strong forward carries from 5m out. The Ath finished the half with a great team try. Good carrying from Jackson and clinical rucking from Shon allowed Theo to pass to Charley who was unstoppable from 10m out. Cwmafan scored twice in response to leave the final score Cwmafan 3 Ath 2.

 

The under 11’s travelled away to Baglan to play a big side with good numbers. Unfortunately post Grand Slam the Ath were only able to field 11 players, which meant that a number of players would have to start out of position. Instead of worrying the opportunity arose to be able to experiment with the team in readiness for next season. As usual the boys stepped up and took the fight to Baglan hitting them with 3 earlier tries. The wind certainly played its part and made it difficult to move the ball wide. This suited the Ath and the boys quickly realised that they could dominate Baglan in the closer channels. By half time the Ath were 25 points up which gave us another opportunity to move some players around. The second half was much the same and the Ath dominated.   Baglan did hit back with a few tries of their own but the Ath were too good to let the game slip and ended the game ahead 45-15. Also great to see the boys supporting World Down Syndrome day.

 

Under 12s Match Report

The under 12s welcomed a strong Ebbw Vale to the 3g pitch at Parc Derwen. With just 13 players available due to injuries, other commitments the odds were stacked against the Ath as Ebbw Vale arrived with a squad of 26 players.

The first half was evenly contested with both teams looking to play an expansive game despite the strong winds, and Ebbw Vale eventually drew first blood with a converted try on 10 minutes. Despite a ferocious response from the Ath it was Ebbw Vale who scored next, taking advantage of persistent offside infringements to extend their lead with their second converted try in the 18th minute. This was followed by a breakaway try for Ebbw Vale on the stroke of half time.

The Ath came out firing in the second half, with the forwards taking control and turning the ball over seemingly at will; until Ebbw Vale took advantage of some loose play to cross for their fourth try of the match on the half hour mark.

The Ath refused to let their heads drop and another great rip tackle from hooker Harry Jones provided the platform for scrum half Ioan Roberts to release full back Ioan Hammond into space for a fantastic solo run and try on 38 minutes.

With just 13 players available it was only a matter of time before fatigue set in, and Ebbw Vale were able to take advantage of some tired tackling for the final score of the match with a converted try in the dying minutes.

Final score The Ath 5 Ebbw Vale 33

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