News

The Athletic U8’s and U9’s visited Machen, while the only other sides to play the U14’s hosted English touring teams Saracens and Crawley, while the U15’S visited Devon to take on Ivybridge.

On a cold Sunday morning the Under 8 Ath boys headed this time to Machen with a smaller squad of 15 players.

From the off all 15 players were up for a great game of rugby with end to end scoring and some of the best interplay passing we have seen all season. The support play was impressive with the teams both showing a great team bond with also some brilliant individual flare and skills to boot.

A big shout out to: -

The Green team (Played 2 won 2):

Jacob Daniels, Louie Lane, Alfie Whittaker, Toby Williams, Ellis Luke, Ioan Jones, Bradley Lloyd, Ben Lewis.

The Gold team (Played 2 won 2):

Will Mordecai, Evan Mordecai, Regan Webb, Jude Thomas, Oscar Huntley, Ollie Phillips, Levi Edwards.

Bridgend Athletic Under 9s with 12 players unavailable still managed to take a squad of 13 players to Machen. Bridgend Athletic were strong with ball in hand but once again with too many players not prepared to pull their weight in defence meant Machen were able to run in soft try after soft try.

Bridgend Athletic did enough to win the game 45-35 but a big improvement is needed, defensive duties can’t be left to the same players week in week out.

Try scorers were Ethan Davies 4, Grayson Lewis Whelan, Dylan Jones, Osian Kenny, Max Edwards & Rory Whyte. Stand out tacklers were Ethan Davies, Regan Henly, Grayson Lewis Whelan, Osian Kenny & Rhys Gardiner.

This weekend, Bridgend Ath U14s would face two touring teams from England. First up Saracens and then Crawley in a round robin event.

The Saracens were a big side and with the Ath struggling for numbers due to school trips and injuries, several of the U13s stepped in to fill the gaps.

Saracens started strongly, playing with a strong wind, dictating play, and gaining territory, they soon raced into a 12-nil lead.

However, the Ath boys upped the tempo of their game and winning more ball, they were able to bring their captain Shea Duggan more into the game, and he showed great pace and strength in crossing to reduce the deficit just before half time.

Mass changes were made to accommodate all the players at half time and the Ath went into top gear from the restart. Two tries from Luca Barclay and Shea Duggan’s second saw the Ath take a 21-12 lead with 10 minutes remaining. Fighting for possession Saracens came forward and when Bridgend spilled the ball from a lineout, they went over to score and close the margin to 21-19.

Disaster then struck for the Athletic as they ran back the restart and when Saracens stole possession poor defence allowed them straight through to score and run out winners over a disappointed Ath side 21-26.

Crawley were a big side and used crash ball tactics to try and gain ground. It didn’t work as the Ath boys knocked them down and recycled ball to move into a 17-0 lead thanks to tries from Sam Barraclough, Danny Wilson and Shea Duggan.

Crawley hit back with a try, but Luca Barclay's chip was picked off by Shea Duggan for his 4th try of the day.

Whilst Crawley did get another try, Sam Barraclough got his second to wrap up matters with a convincing 31-12 win. Shea Duggan was outstanding today, but credit must also go to some of the forwards who did the hard work in winning the ball, notably Jac Hunter, Kieran Lewis and Jacob Cox. Well done also to the U13s who stepped up a level. Not easy to do but they all impressed and let no one down.

This weekend the Under 15's travelled down South on Tour to Devon. With only the one game lined up against Ivybridge RFC. With a history of strong sides, great results and superb facilities the boys were relishing the challenge against their English opposition.

From the first kick off the Ath's physical approach in everything they did had Ivybridge panicking in possession and spilling the ball. The Athletic forwards carrying well and looking to keep the ball alive at every opportunity, then releasing the ball to the back line to run in some great tries.

Ivybridge had some great runners themselves and scored a great individual try, but the Ath with the wind behind them in the second half went up another couple of gears running in many more tries including one from their own try line. With the emphasis on enjoying throwing the ball around they certainly did that with their Barbarian style play and ran out 5-67 winners.

With great comments from the Opposition Coaches, Parents and lots of socialising everyone left Devon a very happy Athletic Touring side.