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04 August 2019 / Club News

Bridgend Athletic RFC – New Season 2019-2020


 

Bridgend Athletic RFC training at senior and youth level has gone well with pleasing numbers ahead of the new 2019-2020 season.

 

The 1ST XV have been moved back to Division 1 West Central, the 2ND XV having rebranded as Bridgend Athletic Generals in honour of the club’s late Chairman Andrew “The General” Tellem will compete in the WRU Central Conference and District Cup, while the Youth will be competing in Ospreys Youth C East Division.

 

The 1ST XV having finished 3rd both in Div 1 West Central and Div 1 East Central in successive seasons will find a  much-changed league with only 5 other teams remaining from season 2017-2018 – local sides Tondu and Kenfig Hill along with last season’s runners up and National Plate finalists Bonymaen, Ammanford & Waunarlwydd. Newcomers included promoted sides Nantyfyllon and Birchgrove along with Dunvant, Skewen, Brynamman & Glynneath.

 

With the same coaching staff of Stuart Morris, David Williams and Gerald Williams under the stewardship of head coach John Apsee and same Team Manager and Fixture Secretary Paul Hearne there is continuity for the players. There is also continuity at captain with flanker Ben Howe at the helm for the fourth successive season. Rod Davies has been appointed new club physio.

 

Following poor starts and good finishes to the last 2 seasons and mindful that the promoted sides from Div 1 West Central over the last 5 seasons have only lost 2 games, the Athletics’ build up in training has been geared to having the side conditioned for an improved start to the new campaign – looking to build on the successive 10 victories at the end of last season.

 

Ammanford are first up at home on September 7th followed by the first derby game away at Kenfig Hill on the 14th. The opening Cup competition National Plate game sees the Athletic visit another local side Pyle RFC on the 21st September.

 

Pre- season the Athletic play Hull RUFC newly promoted to English National 2 North League at the Morganstone Brewery Field on August 17th – k.o. 12pm – admission free - ahead of the Wales v England game and old foes from last season St Joseph’s from 1 East Central away on August 24th. With 2 close Athletic 25-15 and 22-19 victories from last season the game will provide a good yardstick of preparations for the new season.

 

The Bridgend Athletic Generals will compete in a strong WRU Central Conference along with local teams Tondu & Kenfig Hill, Bonymaen, Ammanford, Pontardulais, Dunvant & Waunarlwydd. The team open their league campaign on September 7th with a tough local derby home game against Tondu. They will also compete in the District Cup.

 

 While under the guidance of the senior coaches Team Manager Liam Griffiths, Physio Lewis Down, Rhys Jones & Harry Griffiths will be looking after match day preparations. Outside half Scott Jones will captain the side. His brother Nick is a former captain. Aaron Mordecai will be vice-captain and Aled Piliner pack leader.

 

A pre – season game has been arranged with a Porthcawl Development side on Aug 10th, while certain players will also be involved with 1st team pre – season fixtures. It is hoped a further pre-season General’s fixture will be arranged on weekend 31st Aug.

 

The Youth will compete in Ospreys Youth Region C East with an opening home game against Tonmawr on Sept 7th followed by a local derby across the River at Bridgend Sports. Other sides in the league include Bryncethin, Nantymoel, Tondu 2nds, Aberavon Green Stars, Briton Ferry, Bryncoch and Tonna.

 

The Youth retain the latter part of last season’s coaching team Head Coach Chris Thomas assisted by Jonathon Davies, Huw Lewis & Paul Yardley. They will be boosted by last season’s Ospreys U16 Cup Finalists who Thomas, Davies & Lewis brought through age group rugby, so there will be continuity over the coming seasons. Many of those players tasted youth team rugby last season so will be aware of the challenges ahead of them. The coaches also intend arranging some U17 fixtures during the season. The team will be captained by hooker Jack Obbard who represented the Ospreys U18 side last season. Four of this coming season’s youth squad Xander Molitika, Ryan Neagle, Tomos Florence & Joe Watts have been selected for this season’s Ospreys Under 18’s squad.

 

Preseason games have been arranged on Aug 17th early kick off away at Gowerton and August 24th in the Nelson 15s tournament before playing Machen Away on Friday evening August 30th.

 

Club Membership now due. Forms for various categories Gold or Silver Vice Presidents and different membership categories available from clubhouse.

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