News

Bridgend Athletic RFC Senior & Youth Teams held a very successful joint Presentation Night at the Heronston Hotel on Saturday June 1st. Club Patron Gareth Davies hosted the event.

The meal was preceded by a minute’s silence for Club Chairman Andrew Tellem who sadly passed away early on the Tuesday morning preceding the event. MC Gareth paid tribute to Andrew whose goal had been to attend the event. His sons Matthew & George who both play for the Athletic represented him on the day.

Club Vice Chairman Lewis Down welcomed everybody to the event. He started by paying tribute to Andrew Tellem who should have been standing in his shoes. He then thanked the evening’s organisers primarily Aled Pilliner and the club committee and representatives along with himself. He also thanked the club sponsors who make it possible for the club to run 14 teams including Mini & Juniors, 2 Youth Teams and 2 Senior Teams. Two of the main sponsors Mr Gareth Edwards and Mr Richard Dyke were present. Lewis also paid tribute to all the unsung heroes of the club who work behind the scenes whether players, coaches, match day helpers, bar helpers or anybody willing to do their bit to ensure the club functions smoothly both on and off the field

MC Gareth then reviewed the Youth, 2nds & 1^st XV seasons.

Back in 2009-2009 our youth side captained by current 1^st XV captain Ben Howe won the double Welsh League and Youth Cup. Another Golden era saw the 2016-2018 sides win both Welsh trophies in successive seasons. The Youth became victims of their own success. Most of last year’s 2^nd year players moved on to senior rugby and with some of the upcoming U16 team moving from the club the team were both short in numbers and experience. Paul Obbard started the season assisted by Paul Yardley but stepped down in January.

The U16 coaches Chris Thomas, Jonathon Davies and Huw Lewis stepped into the breach and blooded many of their successful U16 players to boost numbers. With the current youth players now more experienced and the U16’s who reached the final of the Osprey’s Cup providing a strong player base it is hoped the team can considerably improve on their 9 wins from 24 fixtures this season.

Cameron Lewis was leading try scorer with 11 tries followed by Owen Thomas 8 and Levi Hallet and Will Barraclough 6. Levi Hallet was top points scorer with 75 points followed by Cameron Lewis with 63. Ben Owen played in all 24 fixtures with Cameron Lewis and Josh Tidy missing 1 fixture.

Praise is due to all players and coaches who stood together during a difficult transition season.

Coach Paul Yardley announced hooker Jack Obbard will captain this season’s youth team.

The 2^ND XV managed by Liam Griffiths and Lewis Down again competed in the Welsh Conference finishing in 5^th place with 6 wins from 11 fixtures. League doubles were recorded over Ammanford and Caerleon with single wins against Risca and Rhiwbina.

Ryan Pickford played in 13 of 14 games and was leading try scorer with 4 touch downs. Liam Griffiths & Josh Seldon made 11 appearances and Lewis Dando. Lloyd Pemberton, Aled Pilliner and Callum Swinford 10. Scott Jones was leading points scorer with 51.

Milestones saw Andrew Brown, Nick Jones and Ryan Jones notch up 100 senior appearances during the season, while Liam Griffiths extended his record 2^nd XV all time appearances to 230, 14 ahead of his father Tony’s 216 appearances.

The 1^ST XV again coached by John Apsee, Stuart Morris, David Williams & Gerald Williams with Team Manager Paul Hearne still in place were moved by the wru for logistical reasons from Division 1 West Central to Division 1 East Central. They repeated last season’s 3^rd position league finish. The club have just been informed it is moving back to 1 West Central this coming season.

Again, a poor start cost the Athletic losing 6 of the 1^ST 9 games before finishing the season with 10 consecutive wins.In all 15 of 22 league games were won. Only promoted Champions Glamorgan Wanderers did the double over the Athletic who in turn recorded doubles over 4^th and 5^th placed Treorchy and Rhiwbina and Mountain Ash, St Joseph’s and Gilfach Goch. Other wins were achieved against 2^nd placed Rumney, Cambrian Welfare, Dinas Powys and Porth Harlequins

On the playing side Tom Jenkins played in all 22 league games and 23 games overall. Matthew Muir & Jonathan Stoker also completed 23 games. Captain Ben Howe, Wayne Fooks & Sean Williams 1 behind on 22. On 21 were Ben Cording, Tom Davies, Lee Murphy & Aled Thomas, while Ben Davies played 19 times. We must also mention 1^St XV coach Stuart Morris who at the age of 48 assisted with distinction in our outside half crisis position on 4 occasions including 2 starts at Glamorgan Wanderers and Cambrian Welfare. At the other end of the age scale youth team full back and Boys Club of Wales debutant Levi Hallett made 5 competent 1^ST XV appearances before his season was cut short with a shoulder injury.

Luke Bevan returning from a long injury to play in only the last 7 games was top points scorer with 69. Ben Howe led the try scorers with 8 followed by Dan James 6, Ben Davies, Tom Davies, Will Barraclough and Aled Thomas 5 and Ben Cording 4.

Major milestones during the season saw Wayne Fooks play his 300^th 1^ST XV game and 378^th senior appearance. Jonathon Stoker his 300^th senior appearance and 250^th 1^ST XV game, while Ben Howe and Mathew Norman both made their 100^th 1^ST XV appearance.

Finally, the 1^ST XV thanked its oldest supporter Mr Glan Hitchens who was 92 on May 31st for his tireless support turning out in all weathers. On behalf of the team Head Coach Mr John Apsee presented Glan with a club tie to thank him for his great support.

Head Coach John Apsee then outlined the club’s rugby plans.

Firstly, John thanked his fellow coaches, team manager, players and medical team. for their outstanding commitment throughout the season.

Every squad member played their part in a 3^rd placed finish in a very different physical challenge in Division 1 East Central from their comfort zone previously in Division 1 West Central.

He indicated that up to 10 players were in contention for awards and the final decision was difficult. The players records were outlined in the team review.

Some special moments during the season were hooker Nathan Holman coming on late as a tight head prop in games against Rhiwbina and Cambrian and turning around the scrum to win us both games. He mentioned Stuart Morris at the age of 48 assisting in an emergency outside half crisis against Glamorgan Wanderers and Cambrian Welfare and the contributions of ex Athletic No 10 Rob Evans playing on permit and, winning us a game in horrendous conditions at Mountain Ash.

He also thanked club Press Officer Adrian Burt and Club photographer John Canon for their efforts in publicising the club’s rugby achievements.

Going forward John intends holding talks with senior players and youth and senior coaches to improve the structure of the coaching set up and create a pathway from youth to senior rugby. He is very optimistic that the current 1^ST XV squad if it stays together have every chance of achieving his goal of winning promotion to the Championship and reaching the Millenium Stadium in the Welsh Plate Cup competition.

Award Ceremony

The Award Ceremony then took place, with Head Coach John Apsee and Club Vice Chairman Lewis Down mainly presenting the Awards. Sponsor Mr Richard Dyke presented both the Youth & Daryl Dyke Memorial Awards he presented to the club in honour of his son Daryl an ex Athletic flanker. Mr Gareth Edwards presented the 1^st XV Player of the Year Award. Athletic Coach Stuart Morris the club’s all-time appearances 462 and al time points 3977 record holder presented two special awards to players making over 300 senior appearances. Matthew Tellem the son of the late club chairman Andrew represented the family in presenting the Club Person of the year award which Andrew won in season 2015-2016.

Captains Awards were presented to Ben Howe 1^st XV, Aaron Mordecai 2^nd XV and Cameron Lewis Youth.

Youth Awards

Boys Club of Wales Caps – Tom Davies & Levi Hallett. Tom played for the 1^ST XV all season and Levi also made 5 1^ST XV appearances during the season. Coaches Player of Year – Cameron Lewis, Players Player of Year – Cameron Lewis, Best Forward of the Year -Josh Llewellyn, Daryl Dyke Youth Memorial Award – Morgan Bennett, Clubman of Year Award – Josh Tidy.

2^ND XV Awards

Best Forward Award – Callum Swinford, Players Player of the Year Nathaniel Cars Sales Shield – Lloyd Pemberton, Player of the Year David Perry Trophy – Lloyd Pemberton.

Club Person of Year Peter Woods & Sons Trophy – Dean Brown from the Mini & Junior Section. Both M&J Vice Chairman and Fixture Secretary largely responsible for Ospreys fixture matrix. Organised numerous fundraising events. As well as coaching U9’s helped set up U7 structure. Also, this season behind a very new and innovative M&J Infants section for 3-5-year olds.

Bouquets of Flowers presented for outstanding work during the year Julie Thomas, Alison Tellem & Yvonne Blackburn

Club commemorative Ewenny Pottery Mugs for outstanding services to Club - Photographer John Canon, and for over 25 years Sponsorship of the Club Gareth Edwards & Richard Dyke.

Special Awards Over 300 Senior Appearances for Club – A special framed collage of them in action provided by Club Photographer John Canon to Wayne Fooks 378 Appearances and Jonathon Stoker 302 Appearances.

Ist XV Awards

Best Back – Tom Jenkins, Player’s Player of Year Nathaniel Car Sales Award – Ben Cording, Daryl Dyke Senior Memorial Award – Matthew Muir

Finally Highlight of Night

Ist XV Player of Year Jeff Jenkins trophy – for the first occasion in club’s history there were joint winners’ flanker & Club Captain Ben Howe and hooker Lee Murphy.