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02 March 2020 / Club News

Abandoned Match Bridgend Athletic RFC V Tondu RFC

Bridgend Athletic RFC V Tondu RFC

Division 1 West Central – Sat Feb 29^th

The groundsman at Bridgend Ravens must be congratulated on the condition of the Morganstone Brewery Fields during storm Jorge allowing the eagerly anticipated local derby between Bridgend Athletic RFC to take place on February 29^th. It was Bridgend Athletics’ first fixture for 6 weeks since the narrow win at Nantyfyllon on January 18^th.

A large crowd boosted by players and supporters of other local sides whose games were off saw Tondu kick off and enjoy early territorial advantage, resulting in a 3-point lead from a Matthew Tatchell penalty.

The Athletic responded with an attack resulting in a scrum just outside the Tondu 22. The Athletic front row Wayne Fooks, Lee Murphy and Matthew Greenman aided by their pack drove the Tondu scum which disintegrated leading to a kickable penalty. However, captain Ben Howe making his 150^th senior Athletic appearance asked outside half Jacob Lloyd to kick to the corner. Lloyd judged his kick to perfection. With Murphy ready to throw the ball into the line out to set up a driving maul the referee Mr Marcus Richards called the two captains and said he wasn’t feeling well. Following a break of 10 minutes his situation worsened unfortunately resulting in the game being abandoned with no result.

Later it was confirmed at the Princess of Wales Hospital that Mr Richards had suffered a bleed on the brain and a slight stoke. He is making a recovery but will spend a few days hospitalised. Both Bridgend Athletic and Tondu wish Mr Richards their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Mr Richards later tweeted from hospital. “Hi guys, it turns out i had a bleed on the brain, which caused a stroke of some kind. Hence the coordination in my legs going. Thanks to both teams, who were magnificent with me. A few days in Princess of wales for me!”

The clubs are in negotiations to find a suitable date to replay the fixture. In view of logistics in returning entrance fee money Bridgend Athletic have announced there will be free entry for the rearranged game.

The Athletic hope to end their fixture drought with a District Cup Semi Final this Thursday March 5^th against Maesteg Celtic. The game takes place at the Old Parish, Maesteg kick off 7.15pm.

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