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Bridgend Athletic now playing in Division 1 East Central replicated the same poor start to the season as they suffered last season in Division 1 West Central losing their 3^rd league game in the first 5 outings going down 22-13 away at Rumney’s Riverside Park ground.

The tone of the performance was set in the opening minutes. The Athletic kicked off and Rumney with another typical East Central jumbo pack kept tight possession before moving the ball along the line. A pitiful attempt at a tackle on half way against Rumney full back Tyler Mahoney was replicated on the 22 when he contemptuously handed off another would be Athletic tackler to race over under the posts. His brother outside half Regan Mahoney added the conversion.

An Athletic driving maul from the Rumney 22 was held just short of the Rumney try line. Poor Athletic discipline led to Rumney moving upfield with a series of penalties culminating with Regan Mahoney landing his kick at goal when in range to extend the lead to 10-0.

Another Athletic driving maul was halted near the Rumney posts for scrum half Aled Thomas to pick up and spot a gap to cross. Outside half Luke Bevan converted. Bevan playing his first game of the season made a good break and was hauled down just short of the Rumney try line, but the Athletic conceded a penalty at a ruck to allow Rumney to clear their line.

With the Athletic attempting to run out of defence a dropped pass 30 metes out was seized on by centre Tom Maton who fly kicked the ball over the Athletic try line and won the race to touch down to give the home side a 15-7 half time advantage. Two Athletic mistakes – two Rumney tries.

The Athletic started at a higher tempo in the second half which was required to move the heavier typical East Central pack around the pitch and were rewarded with an early penalty by Bevan to reduce the deficit to 15-10. However, Bevan’s troublesome knee gave out and the Athletic reshuffled their backs with full back Josh Davies moving to outside half and wing Michael Powell slotting in at full back and replacement Tom Davies coming on at wing. The Athletic further reduced the deficit to 15-13 with a penalty from Josh Davies.

The Athletic were dominating territory and had their fair share of possession. Rumney had a simple game plan to keep the game tight. This was helped by poor tackling options by the Athletic in trying to hold up the drives whereas Dan Lydiate style chop tackles could have halted the play before momentum was developed. The Athletic were also drawn into an arm wrestle they would not win when the game was crying out with mis matches all around the field for a more open approach. It seemed to be heads down – not up looking at what was in front of them.

In a rare break out of defence Rumney moved the ball down the blindside from half way and kicked ahead to the Athletic line. A mishandle saw Tyler Mahoney pounce for his second try converted by his brother. The Athletic lacked any cohesion to respond and left their coaches and supporters very frustrated by an overall inept performance.

Team Manager Paul Hearne summed up. “It was a terrible performance in which few players can hold their heads up. Simple missed tackles and dropped passes were unacceptable. Lack of focus and concentration by some players puts their places in jeopardy.”

Last season following a similar bad start the Athletic went on a 6-month unbeaten run with a 15 man off loading and support play approach. It remains to be seen whether this team can repeat that feat starting at home in Newbridge Fields this Saturday against Mountain Ash and the following week away at Porth Harlequins. The players are certainly better than results to date indicate – it is in their hands which way the season pans out