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When an irresistible force meets an immovable object, something must give. Defending Welsh Regions and Ospreys OA league champions Bridgend Athletic Youth met last seasons Welsh Youth Cup finalists and Ospreys OA runners up Pontardulais Youth in a prelude to the Wales – All Blacks game. Both sides have carried on where they left off last season and were unbeaten in the league and through to the 3^rd round of this season’s Welsh Youth Cup going into the fixture.

It was the Athletic that prevailed outscoring the visitors by five tries to two in a 33-18 victory. making it a perfect 5 bonus points wins in the league this season to head the table. In fact, the game mirrored an exact replica of points scored regarding tries, conversions and penalties as the later Wales – All Blacks game – unfortunately Wales duplicating Pontardulais.

Despite some over officious refereeing decisions resulting in many often-baffling penalties for both sides and two yellow cards for each side – one a double seeing red, both sides contrived to entertain a sizeable Newbridge Fields crowd. It was a game played hard but with good spirit which deserved to have been allowed to flow more freely.

With wind advantage Pontardulais aided by three consecutive penalties for offside. forced a line out 5-metres from the Athletic line. When a drive was halted Pontardulais opened play along their back division. A crunching tackle just short of the line saw centre Joe Patterson emerge with the ball. He offloaded to wing Sam Palmer on the Athletic 22 for Palmer to out sprint the covering defence for the opening try of the game. Outside half Matthew Hobby converted. Pontardulais responded with a retaken penalty by outside half Brandon Wood, when the Athletic were adjudged to move during the failed first attempt.

The Athletic were slow to react to a kick into their 22 and were penalised for holding on in a ruck. Pontardulais kicked to touch and this time their catch and drive was successful resulting in a corner try for captain and prop Morgan Griffiths and an 8-7 lead.

Back came the Athletic. They went left towards the touchline before flanker Tom Davies threw an inside pass to scrum half Woolerton. Woolerton made an initial break before releasing the back line. Text book handling with each player drawing his man before passing saw the ball move via Hobby and centres man of the match Dan O’Sullivan and Patterson to wing Nathan Willis who created an overlap for full back Levi Hallet to cross in the corner. Hobby kicked a magnificent touchline conversion against the wind. Yet another penalty decision saw Wood cut the Athletic half time lead to 14-11.

At half time the Athletic made changes. Lock Rhys Durlucia replacing Owain Leyshon. While they reshuffled the front row with tight head prop Tom Zielinski moving to hooker in place of Jack Obbard and Morgan Clemett coming on in the tighthead position.

When Athletic lock Jac Bassett won turnover ball on half way the ball was quickly moved wide for centre O’Sullivan to draw his opponent and put prolific try scoring wing Palmer clear to sprint over from 40 metres out for his second try of the game. Hobby converted to stretch the lead to 21-11. Pontardulais also showed they possessed creative backs. Their centre broke from half way. The Athletic were penalised in front of their posts and a quick tap penalty saw Wood cross and convert his own try to cut his side’s deficit to 21-18.

The game becoming more open suited the Athletic and as the heavier Pontardulais forwards tired they started to gain the upper hand in the scrums with strong scrummaging from the front row Callum Swinford, Tom Zielinski and Morgan Clemett. The back row of Joe Grabham, Will Barraclough and Tom Davies started to combine and make in roads into the away defence. Replacement wing Cameron Lewis came on and made a positive impact preventing a Pontardulais try. A steal from a ruck by Athletic captain Grabham saw an offload to scrum half Woolerton who showed strength and determination to break tackles and cross in the corner. Woolerton then recorded a try brace when from a ruck he cleverly chipped over the defence to win the race to ground the ball. Hobby’s conversion completed the scoring and another bonus point 33-18 win for the Athletic.

The game lived up to its pre- match hype and was a credit to both sides in difficult windy conditions. Athletic Head coach Lee Grabham was well pleased with his team’s performance, while hard to please coach Kevin Gamble was also seen to smile when the final whistle blew.

Next up for the Athletic Youth is a 3rd Round Welsh Youth Cup Tie on Dec 9^th against another unbeaten team North Wales side Nant Conwy who are sweeping all before them with 7 bonus points wins in their 7 fixtures in the North-West Youth League.