Fixture

 

Fielding probably their best side this season Bridgend Athletic gained a comprehensive 57-5 victory against Builth Wells crossing for 9 tries. This was their first league double – though the corresponding fixture was a narrow 15-13 victory against a side that had won its previous match against high flying Aberavon Quins by 22-12.

 

The Athletic showed their intentions from the start moving the ball along the line and dominating the early exchanges. An excellent 40 metre break by wing Mike Powell set up a scrum 10 metres from the Bulls line. Half backs Aled Thomas and Luke Morgan moved the ball quickly to centre Marc Bennett who chipped over the defence for Bevan to gather and cross wide out. From the restart inter passing between wing Chris Price and full back Dan Howells opened a gap that the supporting flanker Ben Howe exploited to run in from 30 metres. Bevan converted to open a 12-0 lead. The third try was a flash of brilliance from centre Bennett who made a break from 40 metres out and side stepped his way over. Bevan converted.

 

Builth Wells were reduced to 14 men when their lock was sin binned following a referee warning for his side consistently offending. The Athletic pack then got in on the act. Nathan Holman found flanker Chris John from a 5-metre line out and the pack drove him over for his first and the Athletic bonus point try in the 25^th minute. Bevan converted from wide out.

 

Builth Wells to their credit then came back into the game and pressed without being able to break down a resolute Athletic defence in which the back row of Howe, John and Stuart Edbrooke were outstanding. With the final move of the half centre Michael Hathaway broke clear and once again flanker Howe was on hand to finish the move for his second match try and fifth of the season. Bevan’s conversion gave the Athletic a 33-0 half time lead.

 

The Athletic started the second half again applying early pressure and a good handling move saw hooker Nathan Holman create an overlap for John to cross in the corner for his second try. The Athletic were then reduced to 14 men with the first of 3 second half yellow cards. Builth Wells took advantage driving their captain and lock Wayne Morris over the line from a 5-metre line out to reduce the deficit to 38-5. The Athletic front row of Matt Muir, Wayne Fooks, Nathan Holman and replacement Lewis Davies had given the Bulls problems all match. When Builth Wells dropped the scrum to prevent a pushover try, the referee had no hesitation in running behind the posts for a penalty try which Bevan converted.

 

When centre Michael Hathaway charged down a clearance kick scrum half Aled Thomas  fed new replacement Stuart Floyd-Ellis and the youth centre ran in from half way to bring up 50 points with his first touch of the ball. Youth outside half Bevan converted for a match haul of 17 points and a man of match award for an all-round competent display. The Athletic completed the rout moving the ball all along the line from one touchline to the other for replacement wing Garin Lougher to cross for his first Athletic try.

 

All 20 players including locks Griff Davies and Jonathon Stoker and replacements hooker Lee Murphy and flanker Jonathon Howard played their part in the Athletics’ best performance of the season. Next up this coming Saturday is an away fixture at Cwmllynfell.

 

The club would like to thank Mr John Naisbitt of Cotacabin for sponsoring the fixture.