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Matthew Muir – 150 Senior Ath Appearances

Last Saturday when the Athletic took Birchgrove’s 18-month ground record with a 16-13 victory, Matthew Muir made his 150^th senior Athletic appearance. 145 of those appearances have been for the 1^ST XV, scoring 5 tries and 25 points. Matthew is primarily a loose head prop but can also more than adequately fill the tight head position. The club are fortunate to have three experienced props Matthew, his namesake Matthew Norman and Wayne Fooks along with youngsters Morgan Clemett and Callum Swinford who are benefitting from the experienced trio’s knowhow as they break into the 1^st XV.

Matthew is in his 7^th season with the club having joined from Beddau when the club were playing Championship rugby and finished 8^th from 14 in season 2013-2014. Ahead of the Athletic were Ebbw Vale, Cardiff Met, RGC, Pontypool, Narbeth, Bargoed and Tata Steel – formidable teams with greater resources than the Ath. That season he played 26 games alongside fellow props Rod Apsee & Wayne Fooks against some formidable scrummaging teams. Last season Matthew was joint top in 1^ST XV appearances with 23 from 24 games.

He travels a round trip of 30 miles from Beddau to attend training sessions and match days probably clocking up around 15,000 miles to date to train and play for his adopted Bridgend Athletic.  Along with fellow props mainly Wayne Fooks and Matthew Norman the front row punch well above their weight against much bigger packs, particularly last season in 1 East Central. He gives 100% in every game and is a strong ball carrier. He has honed his fitness on a diet of Chinese meals.

Matthew’s loyalty to BARFC was recognised at last season’s Player of the Year Presentation Evening.He was the recipient of the prestigious Daryl Dyke Memorial Award, presented by Daryl’s father Richard a long-term Athletic sponsor. Long may Matthew continue to prop up the Athletic pack.