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Bridgend Athletic missing 5 regulars from last season’s 1^st XV through injury or unavailability were set a very challenging task in visiting Bonymaen for the first of their 3 preseason friendlies as they prepare for a season in Division 1 East Central. The Athletic completed a league double in two very close games against Bonymaen in Div 1 West Central last season, just pipping the Swansea Valley side to 3^rd place in that league. On this occasion both sides limited each other to one converted try apiece, while Bonymaen’s 3 penalty goals proved decisive in a 16-7 victory.

The game gave the Ath coaches a good insight into the potential strength in depth of this season’s squad. In all 22 players were used on the day. Former youth players full back Levi Hallett, wing Sam Palmer, prop Morgan Clemett, hooker Morgan Hughes and flankers Luke Williams and Owain Leyshon all showed they have the potential to step up to the challenge of senior rugby. Last season’s second XV players scrum half Nick Jones, prop Lewis Dando and lock Aled Pilliner and newcomer centre Josh Davies playing at outside half also acquitted themselves well against formidable opponents who will match any side the Athletic meet in Division 1 East Central.

Playing down the Parc Mawr slope and with the elements of wind and rain in their favour a big Bonymaen pack and strong running back division were generally on the front foot in the first half. Sound defence with Josh Davies and centres Chris Price and Tom Jenkins tackling well in the backs and an assured performance at full back by Robin Davies, along with the formidable Ath back row forwards Ben Howe, Sean Williams, Luke Williams and Ben Davies limited the home side to two first half penalties.

On the hour flanker Ben Davies crossed the Bonymaen line and was awarded a try, before for some reason the referee reversed his decision awarding the Ath a 5-metre scrum. From a later 5 metre scrum No 8 Sean Williams picked up and when halted offloaded to scrum half Aled Thomas to cross near the posts. Josh Davies converted to give the Athletic a 7-6 lead. With 7 minutes remaining the Athletic were penalised 30 metres out and Bonymaen successfully converted the penalty to take a narrow 9-7 lead. With 4 minutes remaining the Athletic were awarded a similar penalty. However, a rush of blood saw them take a quick penalty which was snuffed out close to the Bonymaen line. With the last move of the match the Athletic dropped a pass inside their own half for Bonymaen to capitalise and their dangerous wing Nathan Brooks race away for a converted try.

Wing Liam Phillips, props Wayne Fooks and Matt Muir. locks Jonathon Stoker, Ben Cordin & Jamie Doherty and flanker Jacob David also played their parts in a game played with league intensity It provided an excellent opportunity for the Athletic coaches to assess the overall strength and fitness of their squad and areas to work on in training, from a game played at high intensity by both sides in tricky playing conditions. With experienced players Tom James, Luke Bevan, Matthew Norman, Nathan Holman and Lee Murphy to return the Athletic have potentially 27-30 players able to make their mark in Division 1 East Central and the opportunity for coaches John Apsee, Stuart Morris and David and Gerald Williams to mould a team capable of a title challenge in a new league Division 1 East Central challenge.