Fixture

 

Bridgend exacted a measure of revenge over Ammanford who had inflicted their first season’s defeat over them at the end of September winning a hard-fought encounter by 21 points to 6. The Athletic are now the league’s leading try scorers with 57, while Ammanford are third highest with 46. However, mother nature conspired against both side’s attacking intents providing a foul night with heavy gusting wind and rain. Despite the conditions a reasonable crowd turned up at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field for the encounter.

 

With a speedy back division containing Athletic dual registration premiership full back Dan Howells and centre Jonathon Phillips accompanied by centre Tom Jenkins and wings Garin Lougher,Liam Phillips and later replacement Dan James, the Athletic attempted to defy the elements moving the ball along their back line. Jonathon Phillips chipped ahead and was cynically tackled without the ball resulting in a yellow card for the visitors. The Athletic set up a 5-metre driving lineout from the penalty – only for Ammanford to deny a clear scoring opportunity by dragging it down reducing their side to 13 players with a second yellow. The Athletic went for a set scrum from the penalty – but a huge wheel was allowed by the referee nullifying the Athletic numerical advantage. 

 

Ammanford then countered and won a penalty in front of the Athletic posts which full back Ceri Rees kicked to put his side ahead. From the restart the Athletic won a penalty of their own, from which outside half Luke Bevan levelled the scores. It also brought up 400 league points for the Athletic this season. Both sides countered each other for the remainder of the half to leave the score three each at half time.

Coaches John Apsee and Stuart Morris used the half time team talk to advise their side to change tack in the second half and play the conditions with a more tactical kicking game. With wind advantage, the ploy was to kick to the corners and use their pack to put pressure on the opposition. This tactic paid off very early in the half as the Athletic set up a driving maul inside the Ammanford 22. With the maul progressing at a rate of knots towards the try line it was once more illegally pulled down with a try certain. The player responsible paid a heavy price leaving the field both injured and with his side’s third yellow card of the night. The Athletic were disappointed in not receiving a penalty try, but took the lead with Bevan’s second penalty.

 

Bevan and scrum half Aled Thomas playing behind a well drilled pack kept the Athletic on the front foot with well-judged kicks to the corners. The Athletic front row of Wayne Fookes, Nathan Holman, Matt Muir and later replacement Matthew Norman started to exert scrum dominance. They drove the Ammanford 8 from a scrum on the 22 to within 5 metres of their try line, only for Ammanford to collapse it to prevent the try. Only a penalty resulted. The Athletic were not to be denied and pushed the Ammanford scrum back for Man of the Match No 8 Griff Davies to touch down. Bevan’s conversion brought his points tally for the season to 50.

 

Ammanford reduced the deficit to 13-6 with a second Rees penalty. However most of the remainder of the game they spent camped inside their own half. Following Griff Davies example the Athletic pack with locks Jonathon Stoker and Chris John carrying effectively kept the game tight. Ammanford were trying to run out of defence but flankers Ben Howe, Jonathan Howard and replacement Luke Williams kept their attack at bay with excellent defensive work. Bevan then increased the lead to 16-6 with his third penalty – again for pulling down a maul. However, this tactic eventually paid off as the Athletic drove a line out from their 22 for hooker Nathan Holman to cross for his fifth try of the season and complete the scoring.

 

Coach Stuart Morris was pleased with the win but frustrated that the team did not play the conditions in the first half.

The win put the Athletic into second place in Div 1 West Central - 3 points ahead of Aberavon Quins and only 1 point behind leaders Bonymaen The Athletic entertain Aberavon Quins at Newbridge Fieds this Saturday.  Bonymaen play 4^th placed Trebanos, who with games in hand are also well placed to win a tightly contested league.

 

The club would like to thank Mr Robert Williams of Ogmore Farm Riding Centre for sponsoring the fixture