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Loyal clubman hooker Nathan Holman became the latest Bridgend Ath player to make 100 senior appearances for the club in the match against Resolven. Aptly he crossed for the first of 7 tries in the 45-3 victory.

Nathan has been a one club man for over twenty years playing through all the age groups from the age of 6, before some very successful youth seasons and then senior rugby. Nathan showed great patience and loyalty when his path to the 1^st XV was delayed by 5 times club captain and hooker Simon Mustoe – turning out in 59 2^nd XV fixtures. Now he is one of the first names on the 1^st XV team sheet and was very proud to captain the 1^st XV against Bonymaen and Seven Sisters this season, when Ben Howe and Aled Thomas were both unavailable.

In his first season 2007-2008 in the Athletic Youth Nathan was substitute hooker to Scott Baldwin in the Webb Ellis Youth Cup final coming off the bench in the win over Whitland at the Millenium Stadium. Rhys Webb also joined him on the bench that day and came on.  The following season 2008-2009 Nathan was the No 1 Youth Team hooker and played under captain Ben Howe in the team that achieved the Welsh Youth Cup and Welsh League winners double defeating Whitland and Merthyr in the respective Finals at the Millenium Stadium. The team were unbeaten that season. Also in that season’s quad were Matthew Morgan, Tom Habberfield, Lloyd Evans, Luke Morgan & Lloyd Peers (Ashley). Nathan’s props were Rhodri Apsee and Lewis Davies with Matthew Norman a substitute. Current or recent Ath players that season included Aled Thomas, Luke Yardley, Tom Morgan, Michael Hathaway and Rhys Ward Jones. While in Youth Nathan also represented Pencoed College who defeated Coleg Sir Gar in the Welsh Colleges Cup final at St Helens, Swansea.

Following Youth team rugby Nathan captained the 2^nd XV for a few seasons, also winning the 2^nd XV Player of the Year Award. He has now made 41 1^st XV appearances and has 22 tries and 110 points at senior level. This is quite remarkable for a front row forward and shows his mobility around the field as well as the ability to guide a driving maul over the try line.

Recently he showed his club commitment to help the Ath in a prop crisis by turning out in that position against Kenfig Hill. Along with Matt Muir and Lee Murphy he helped the club secure two tries with heels against the head directly leading to two Athletic tries including a pushover try.

His next target is to better his father Ian’s 183 senior appearances for the Ath. Prop Ian another club stalwart even turned out on one occasion this season to help the 2^nd XV win a Plate Cup tie against Brackla. He would also like to see the Ath back in the Championship.