Fixture

 

A large crowd in the winter sunshine at Parc Trebannws were treated to an excellent competitive fixture as 3^rd placed Bridgend Athletic took on 4^th placed Trebanos in the first senior fixture between these clubs. A three try blitz within a five-minute period on the half hour mark by the home side yielding 19 points opened a 25-6 lead which proved too much for a valiant Athletic second half display. The result was 25-16.

 

The opening 10 minutes saw both sides concede numerous penalties which resulted in Athletic full back Stuart Floyd Ellis and his counterpart Luke Richards kicking two apiece to make the score 6-6. Trebanos possessed a very pacy back division and were prepared to run from all parts of the field. The Athletic tried to match them with half backs Aled Thomas and Luke Bevan playing well, but the team were more predictable and easier to defend against. Trebanos started to gain the edge in the set scrums and forced the Athletic to concede a series of penalties in this department.

 

The first Trebanos try came when the Athletic chipped ahead inside the home side’s 22. Trebanos gathered and launched a counter attack. A missed Athletic tackle saw Trebanos break away and a combined handling move at speed saw flanker Rhodri Williams cross for the opening try, which Richards converted. The Athletic kicked the restart long into the Trebanos 22 where another missed tackle saw a virtual carbon copy move result in a try for centre Stefan Lewis again converted by Richards. Within two minutes another free-flowing move saw scrum half Nathan Jones cross wide out for a 25-6 Trebanos lead. With their tails up the home side went in search of the bonus point try, but the Athletic managed to hold out until half time.

 

The Athletic brought on hooker Nathan Holman and prop Wayne Fooks to join prop Matt Muir in what has been a more familiar starting front row line-up. This helped refashion the game in the second half. It was the Athletic who now held sway at the set scrums forcing Trebanos to concede penalties. The Athletic pack took command of the game. Excellent ball carrying by lock Griff Davies and backrow forwards Chris John and Stuart Edbrook well supported by Jonathon Stoker and Ben Howe enabled half backs Aled Thomas and Luke Bevan to dictate tactics.  The Athletic driving maul started to tire the home defence. This tactic proved very successful when from a 10 metre line out Chris John secured possession and a well-controlled drive saw hooker Nathan Holman driven over the try line. This tactic was repeated 10 minutes later with the same outcome as Holman claimed his second try to reduce the deficit to 25-16.

 

With seven minutes remaining the Athletic were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Needing two scores to win the coaches were urging the side to go for goal and at least secure a bonus point with the momentum to go on and win. On the park the team elected to kick to the corner and try their hand at a third driving maul try. Unfortunately this tactic backfired and the move broke down. The Athletic were penalised and Trebanos cleared their line. The Athletic failed to mount another effective challenge and came away empty handed.

 

Both sets of supporters will look forward to the return fixture on April 22^nd and hope for another high octane competitive game like this one.