News

Following the Dunvant game back at the clubhouse the Ath Head Coach John Apsee announced the winners of the March & April Nathaniel Car Sales Trophy.

Ath 6th consecutive season captain Ben Howe followed his March Nathaniel Car Sales Player of March, by again receiving the April award.

Ben has played in 22 Ath games this season and scored 5 tries – overall he has played 194 senior games with a remarkable try count of 65 tries and 325 points.

Unfortunately, injury ruled him out of the May games.

The May award went to young prop Jacob Perkins in his first season in senior rugby. Jacob despite being in University at Gloucester has managed to travel home and play in 18 1^st team games, scoring 2 tries.

Head coach John Apsee said the transition from youth to senior 1^ST XV rugby was always a big step and none greater than in the front row where youngsters are up against far bigger props with vast experience. This has not fazed Jacob who has held his own at scrummage time and has the mobility of a back row forward around the field and is a great ball carrier. With the necessary desire Jacob can establish himself as a future mainstay of the Ath or even in time at a higher level. Great first season Jacob.

The 3^rd award was presented to long term Ath sponsor Gareth L Edwards of Gareth L Edwards Estate Agents. Gareth has been a great sponsor and friend of BARFC over many years sponsoring mainly 2^nd XV kits and match sponsorship. This season as picture shows he presented the 1^ST XV with a set of training tops. Prior to the Dunvant game senior Ath players Ben Howe and Lee Murphy handed one of the tops to Gareth as a memento and keepsake. The picture was taken in front of Gareth Edwards advertising board at the Ravens Brewery Field.

Gareth was present in the Ath clubhouse following the game when head coach John Apsee thanked Gareth for the training tops and more importantly remarked that persons like Gareth help keep the club afloat with the high maintenance costs of providing rugby these days. Gareth remarked that he really appreciated John making the effort to recognise him in front of all in the clubhouse. He said he enjoys the welcome and camaraderie he receives when he visits the Ath and feels there is real spirit in the efforts the club make on and off the field. Thanks Gareth.

The club are grateful for the ongoing support of club photographer John Canon, who was kept busy at the Brewery Field taking 1^st & Youth Team photos, as well as Gareth Edwards pic. Prior to photographing action from the Dunvant game, he also provided his usual high-quality pics of the Ath U8 & Ogwr Hawks U8 tag match. On the Sunday he photographed the U15 in the Ospreys Cup final having covered them and the U12 & U13 District Cup wins. Appreciated John.