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11 August 2019 / Club News

Porthcawl Club XV 0 Bridgend Athletic Generals 12 Preseason Friendly – Sat Aug 10th, 2019

A preseason friendly between predominantly 2nd XV teams from Porthcawl and Bridgend Athletic resulted in the Athletic winning a highly competitive game by 12 points to nil. More importantly both sides will take many positives from the game as they prepare for different league challenges for the new season.

 

The Athletic 2nd XV have rebranded in the close season as Bridgend Athletic Generals to honour the passing of the club’s much-loved chairman Andrew “The General” Tellem. Prior to the game both sides along with Porthcawl Youth and Gilfach Youth playing on an adjacent field observed a minute’s silence for Andrew and Porthcawl’s Steve White. Steve was the father of former Ath player Josh White, who now with Porthcawl kicked the winning goal that secured the Welsh Bowl Cup Final for Porthcawl at the end of season 2017-2018.

 

During the summer great efforts have been made to integrate the Athletic senior and youth sides into common training regimes for the benefit of both the club and players. While training under the 1ST XV coaches’ Athletic stalwarts Team Manager Liam Griffiths, Physio Lewis Down, and Rhys Jones and Harry Griffiths have worked with the senior management and coaches to integrate both senior sides. Head Coach John Apsee has been tireless in promoting club unity. New Generals captain outside half Scott Jones has fully bought into the concept and two moments of inspiration from him created and scored the Athletic team’s tries in the victory.

 

A very strong 50mph cross wind made playing conditions difficult, but despite the rain the pitch was firm and dry. The Athletic pack kept their side on the front foot throughout the first half. The front row of props Andrew Brown and Matthew Clemett and hooker Joshua Evans with good weight from locks Aled Pilliner and Ben Cording consistently pushed back the home pack at set scrums. Young scrum half Matthew Hobby provided a good service for captain Jones who controlled play with clever kicks and bringing centres Chris Price and Owain Leyshon into play. Wings Hywel Cosby and Cameron Lewis ran well whenever they were brought into play. Unluckily, full back Sam Richards after a strong run fell awkwardly in a tackle and was forced to leave the field. This saw a return to rugby after a few seasons’ retirement of former 1St XV full back or wing Lindsay McCausland. It is hoped Lindsay can recapture his form which will make him a great asset to the club. He showed glimpses during the game of his potential.

 

Despite plenty of possession Porthcawl were proving a tough nut to crack with a well organised defence. Captain Jones noting Porthcawl up quickly in a rush defence chipped over the defence and flanker Joe Patterson was alert and gathered the chip ahead to cross for the opening try of the game. Jones converted to give the Athletic a 7-0 half time lead.

Youth flanker Danny Osarigie who had played well was replaced by Nick Jones. Then the Athletic were disrupted by bad injuries to the centre pairing of Price and Leyshon who were forced off with shoulder and ankle injuries.

 

Wayne Fooks came on at prop and flanker Tom Davies, youth scrum half Josh Tidy, lock Matthew Tellem, full back Robin Davies and wing Ryan Pickford also joined the action. Hobby moved from scrum half to centre.

 

No 8 Will Petchell made several strong carries out of defence as playing with the slope Porthcawl had more territorial second half advantage. However, the Athletic defence was excellent and well organised. It took a moment of magic to break the defensive stranglehold of both sides.

 

Captain Scott Jones received the ball wide out 40 metres from the line. A dummy saw him break the first line of defence and a sidestep then swerve saw him pass two further tackles before showing strength to force his way over in a tackle.

 

This ended the scoring and a satisfactory playing outcome for the Generals – though tempered by the unfortunate injuries to three back line payers.

 

This Saturday Aug 17th it is the turn of the1st XV to have a run out against English North Division 2 side Hull k.o 12pm with free admission at the Brewery Field, Bridgend.

 

The Generals are looking for another preseason fixture ahead of starting their WRU Conference Central fixture at home to Tondu on Saturday September 7th.

 

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