Div 6 East Central – Oct 18th, 2025

Bridgend Athletic 2nd XV (Generals) overwhelmed Whitchurch with a 13 try 73-3 Div 6 East Central victory at Newbridge fields.

Wing Rhys Hockings started the ball rolling with a quick brace. Next, across the whitewash were flanker and Captain Charlie Ashpole and centre Geraint Roberts. Ath prop and club record appearances holder prop Wayne Fooks then gathered the ball 20 metres from the line and sold an outside half style dummy to cross for the Ath’s fifth and final 1st half try. Outside half Scott Govan converted 2 of the tries to give the Ath a 29-3 half time lead after Whitchurch slotted a penalty.

Wing Ethan Bevan had too much pace for the visitors and crossed for a quick fire second half hat trick with Aled Thomas converting one of the tries to stretch the lead to 46-3. Aled then crossed for the 9th Ath try, to bring up a half century of Ath points.

Rhys Heard, Harry Griffiths, Harvey Tooze & Josh Llewellyn also capitalised with tries and a lone Aled Thomas conversion saw the outgunned visitors concede a total of 13 tries, in their 73-3 defeat.

Other players in the Ath squad Lewis Jones, Keegan Thomas, Aled Pilliner, Luke Griffiths, Dan Osarigie, Tom Jenkins, Josh Carey, Logan Shearan, Lucas Kenny and Matthew Pugh.

To their credit Whitchurch a proud club with 120 years history kept trying to the end. Their spirit is epitomised by some veterans turning out who make Wayne Fooks look like a youth player. All clubs go through difficult times – lets hope their fortunes change as Welsh rugby needs competitive teams at all levels of the pyramid.

This Saturday the Ath Generals face a long journey to Bala to take on Bala Athletic in a 2nd Round Div 5 Cup tie.