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In the 39-0 win at Kenfig Hill Bridgend Athletic club captain Ben Howe playing his first game of the season became the latest Athletic Player to make 100 Senior Appearances for the Ath. A preseason injury meant he was delayed in reaching that milestone after being on 99 appearances at the end of last season.

Ben played age group rugby at Pencoed where he won Wales U11 and U16 Caps before joining the Athletic Youth set up.

Ben was Youth Team captain in seasons 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. In season 2008-2009 he led the team to a unique double. His team won the Webb Ellis Welsh Youth Cup Final at the Millenium Stadium and followed that by winning what was then called the RAF Youth League Final – the best club Youth side in Wales. Although the Ath Youth have won the Welsh Cup and league on other occasions – including the league last season - It is the only occasion the Athletic Youth have achieved a Welsh League and Cup double in the same season. He also captained the Ospreys U18’s during this period when Dan Biggar and Ashley Beck were in the same team. An arm injury prevented a Wales U18 Youth Cap that season.

After a two-season sojourn at Maesteg Ben returned to the Athletic senior sides. He has proved a mighty influence on the Athletic in his role of flanker winning many POY Awards including those voted for by his fellow players as Players POY. He has shown his versatility by on occasions playing centre, wing and hooker. He has made 76 1^st XV and 24 2^nd XV appearances scoring 35 tries at a very high average of 1 every 3 games and 175 points. Appropriately he scored a try on his 100^th senior appearance at Kenfig Hill. What Ben lacks in size this pocket-sized battleship certainly makes up for in effort and heart and his tackle count and ground coverage support work in matches is phenomenal.

He was elected 1^st XV (Club Captain) in season 2016-2017 and again this season 2017-2018. The respect and popularity Ben commands from Athletic coaches, players and supporters makes it likely this will not be his last season at the helm.