News

WRU Conference – Sat Jan 19^th – 2018

A seasonal double and bonus point win saw the Athletic 2^nd XV outscore Caerleon by 4 tries to 1 in a 27-5 victory on a rain-soaked Newbridge Fields A48 pitch. This was the Athletics’ 5^th win in 7 Conference games and moved them to 3^rd place in the table 2 points adrift of joint leaders Bargoed and Penallta.

Following a 10-minute deadlock with no scoring, Scott jones slotted over a penalty after poor discipline from Carleon to give the Athletic a 3-0 lead.

Good lineout ball and completion of multiple phases saw Aaron Mordecai pull a chariot of Caerleon players over the line as he powered over. 8-0.

Excellent running from Iestyn Merriman made himself known to the opposition, closely followed by Rory Thomas.

Some ferocious defensive displays were shown from Lewis Dando, Rhys Evans and the reunited last season’s centre partnership of Luke Hollyman and Luke Yardley making a return after a long spell without rugby.

The Athletic played some heads-up rugby with Lloyd Pemberton and Scott Jones kept Carleon pinned back into their own half with some astute tactical kicking.

A series of powerful carries from Jamie Doherty, Aled Pilliner and josh Evans saw the Athletic again on the front foot, which allowed quick ball for an excellent centre move between the Lukes, with Hollyman crossing the whitewash under the posts. Jones converted.

Athletics 3rd try replicated a move from the 2012 Youth playbook, where Scott Jones and Luke Hollyman reminisced in completing a saucy penalty move adding another 5 to the scoreboard, Hollyman for his second.

A very successful day defensively for the Athletic was eventually broken when Caerleon stepped up their attack for what seemed to be a whole 10 minutes within the Athletics’ red zone. A few frozen and tired bodies saw a lapse in defence which Carleon capitalised on and drove over for a well-earned try.

A final surge of attacking play saw Josh Seldon cross over for the 4th try for the Green and Gold’S converted by Jones - a bonus point win for the squad. 

The day on a whole was a massive success for Bridgend, especially with the conditions.  It was very encouraging to see 21 players turn out at home. Hopefully there will not be a bout of travel sickness this Saturday January 26^th when the Athletic travel to Rhiwbina to play the 4^th placed WRU Conference side.