News

Stuart Morris

Played outside half, full back and centre. Awarded Club Cap 2012.

First 1^st XV App while in Youth on Scottish Tour on Jan 19^th, 1989 against Marr contributing 15 pts 3T, 3C in 27-11 win (David Williams try scorer in game) Last 1^st XV App Nov 2019 in 17-12 win at Waunarlwydd 30 years later

Club Records:

Note actual appearances above 500 and points above 4000 as no records between 2001 - 2003. Difficult to see these stats ever being exceeded.

 Most seasons as captain 8 incl 7 consecutive 1998-2005; Most Senior Apps 463 – Most 1^St XV Apps 405. Most Ath points – 3977 (incl 136 tries). Most Ath points in a season 2003-2004 – 393

 Now Ist XV coach backs coach since 2013 and also administers the fund raising for Ath rugby at all levels 100+ Club – a true Ath stalwart and legend.

Simon Mustoe

Hooker. Actual appearances understated as made debut straight from youth in 2001-2002 with no records 2001-2003. Final appearance season 2017-2018. 3^RD in record Ath appearances. Awarded club cap 2013.

 A product of Ath Mini & Juniors and captained Youth team.

Youngest ever club captain at 21 in his third season out of youth – in all 5 times club captain. A strong and mobile hooker reflected in 31 tries – most from open play as Athletic not noted for driving mauls in his early career. A great leader who led by example as given club captaincy at an exceedingly early age.

Won many MOMS and POY Awards.

Sean Williams.

Currently plays in a strong Ath back row at blindside flanker alongside Ben Howe and Ben Davies – arguably best in Div 1 West or East Central Leagues, though has played with equal distinction at No 8 or lock forward. Main club line out forward. Awarded club cap 2014.

 1^ST XV debut at the end of season 2005-2006, while still in youth and youth team captain, and has been one of the first names on the team sheet since then as well as one of the most consistent performers with many MOM and POY awards.

 In season 2011-2012 appointed club captain and held that honour for 5 consecutive seasons. At the end of his first season as captain the team were promoted into the inaugural Championship of season 2012-2013, where the club despite lacking resources of most of its rivals held its’ own for three of the four seasons finishing 9th and 8^th twice in a table of 14 teams. Among those teams were Swansea, Merthyr Ebbw Vale, Pontypool, Cardiff Met, RGC, Bargoed, Newbridge, Narbeth & Tata Steel. The club defeated every one of those teams at least once under Sean’s leadership except for Swansea.

Now in his 15^th senior season with the club Sean is still an integral cog in the team. Currently 6^th on all time Ath appearance list – but only 5 games short of moving to 3^rd place.

Lee Grabham

Position No 8 or Flanker – also played at lock. Senior debut Season 1998-1999 from captaining Youth retired 2006.Made more than recorded 186 appearances as no records 2001-2003. Awarded Club Cap 2013.

Club Captain 2 seasons 1994-1996. Won many MOMS and POY Awards.

A no nonsense player who led from the front.

Coached M&J team right through age groups and the followed team as Youth Coach. His Youth Team won successive Ospreys League titles and the Welsh Youth Cup and Welsh League Championship. 12 of his youth sides have played 1^ST XV senior rugby.

Matthew Hillman

Position Flanker. Played for 1^St XV between 2006-2015 captaining the club in season 2011-2012.

An excellent tackler and excellent at securing possession at rucks and mauls – always prepared to do the nitty gritty of forward work.

Matthew joined Maesteg for a couple of seasons. His father was the late Colin Hillman ex Bridgend &, Swansea hooker and captain and coach of Wales Sevens side.

Rhodri Jones

Position Prop. Senior debut 1998 – retired 2014. Captained club season 2009-2010.

 Rod a solid tight head prop an excellent scrummager and mobile forward is elder brother of Jonathan Jones who also played in back row for the Ath, both Laleston Boys, Both capped at under 18 level for Wales, Jon captain in same team as Rhys Webb and three others Kyle Maiden, Lee Sims and Haloti Molitika playing No 5,6,7,8 & 9 (record 5 caps for Ath in same season and team ) both went on to play for the Ravens in Premiership. 

Ben Howe

Open side flanker who has just completed his 4^th season as club captain having taken over from his fellow back row colleague Sean in season 2016-2017, and likely to continue at the helm in 2020-2021 whenever thar season starts.

A Welsh U11 & 16 International Ben joined the Ath Youth and 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. The only occasion the Youth has won the Welsh league and cup double.

He has proved a mighty influence on the Athletic in his role of flanker winning many POY Awards including joint POY last season with Lee Murphy, as well many Players POY voted for by his fellow players. His try scoring capability of 55 in 152 games – averaging a try every 3 games is phenomenal. His versatility has also seen him turn out at hooker and centre.