On the 24th January our 1st XV play Newcastle Emlyn at Ammanford’s ground in the championship cup semi final..
As in previous cup runs we are organising return supporters buses from the club house.
If you would like to reserve a place on the bus, please follow the link
Spaces are on a first come first serve basis, so book early to avoid disappointment.
We welcome all our members and supporters into the new year with our squads for tomorrow.
Our 1st XV take on mountain Ash RFC at Brynteg upper School Fields KO 2.30pm
with the generals XV welcoming Beddau Athletic RFC at Newbridge Fields KO 2.30pm
Our Club house at 12 Ewenny Road, CF31 3HP will be at 12.30pm prior to the games which is a short walk to Brynteg school.
our final game before the big man arrives.
come watch our 1st XV away at @stjoesrugbycardiff tomorrow.
Happy Christmas from all at Bridgend Athletic RFC
A warm space, a friendly face, and time to unwind. Our Warm Hub at Bridgend Athletic RFC is back by popular demand!
Every Wednesday | 10am–2pm
Bridgend Athletic RFC Free light refreshments, free Wi-Fi, board games, pool table — or just come along for a chat. No booking needed. Everyone welcome.
Our 1st XV are back in action this Saturday as the previously postponed WRU Championship Cup Quarter Final against Treorchy RFC finally takes place – KO:2:00PM @ Brynteg comprehensive school PLEASE USE EWENNY ROAD ENTRANCE TO CAR PARK 💚💛
A huge day for the club with a place in the semi-finals on the line — we’d love to see as many down supporting the boys as possible! 👏🔥
Our generals XV face of against Tondu Athletic at Pandy park looking to progress in Division 6 East
Come support the Ath 💚💛
#OneClub#CupWeekend#ChampionshipCup#MatchDay#uptheath
National Leagues Div 5 Cup 3rd Round – Sat Dec 6th, 2025
Bridgend Athletic Generals of Div 6 East Central pulled off the surprise of the National Leagues Div 5 Cup 3 rd Round tie by inflicting only the 2 nd defeat of the season on high flying Div 5 East Central Cardiff Met Athletic by 8pts to 0.
Playing on the A48 pitch in difficult conditions the Ath were full value for their win. The Met had first use of a very strong wind and for the first 20 mins it required an almighty defensive effort – mainly by the Ath pack to keep their line intact. A huge feature was the dominance of the Ath front row in the scrums with father and son props Wayne & Brandyn Fooks and hooker Keegan Thomas driving their opposite numbers back and winning scrum penalties to relieve the pressure.
Experienced locks Aled Pilliner and Luke Griffiths supported the front row and were carrying hard and tackling with purpose. As well as carrying hard the back row of captain Charlie Ashpole, Rhys Heard and Dan Osarigie were inspirational throughout the game. As the time went on the Ath were looking more comfortable and when half backs Harvey Tooze and Scott Govan released centres Tom Jenkins and newcomer Jonny Sutcliffe it took a deliberate knock on and yellow card, to prevent a potential scoring
pass reach wing Ethan Bevan.
In the final minutes of the half wing Rhys Hockings ran from halfway and a kick ahead saw the Met penalised just short of their line for holding on. The Ath took a tap pen and after a series of forward drives Dan Osarigie was held on the line and then with the final play Rhys Heard forced his way over for a 5-0 Generals lead.
It was now the Ath’s turn to benefit from wind advantage and outside half Scott Govan and full back Josh Carey took full advantage, to pin the Met inside their own half and attempt to run out of defence. They still had no joy in breaking the motivated Ath defence.
The Ath scrum was dominant winning penalties and keeping the students on the back foot. On the hour the Ath won a penalty 25 metres out converted by Scott Govan to extend the lead to 8-0. Two minutes later Govan hit he outside of the upright with another penalty attempt. Flanker Dan Osarigie caught a clearance kick 40 metres out and beat several defenders, before being tackled a few metres from the tryline.
From an Ath scrum penalty, the pack drove the students back towards their line. Osarigie picked up and dived over but lost the ball touching down. Govan then threw a long pass to wing Ethan Bevan who caught it and crossed in the corner – but the wind had drifted it slightly forward. The Ath brought on front row forwards prop Lewis Jones and Jack Obbard returning from injury, flanker Harry Griffiths and scrum half Aled Thomas to see out the game, for a thoroughly deserved Ath Generals win and progression to the Quarter final draw of the Div 5 Cup in only their second season in the National leagues.
It will be a memorable game fore Luke Griffiths & Keegan Thomas who made their 50 TH Ath appearances, well done to all the team and Liam and the Ath coaches for following a game plan suited to the conditions and using their physical attributes to win the day. Also, thanks to the committee members who set up the field and forked away surface water for the ref to allow the game to take place. Also, thanks to photographer Paul Harwood, for photographing a memorable Generals display.
The Ath faces another tough test this Saturday with a local derby Div 6 East Central league visit to Tondu Athletic who also progressed to the Div 5 Cup Quarter final stage. The Ath 1 st XV Championship Cup Quarter final v Treorchy was postponed with both the senior pitches waterlogged. It will be played this Saturday Dec 13 th on the 1 st XV pitch at Brynteg Comprehensive School k.o 2:30pm as part of an ongoing arrangement with Brynteg School.
our first team XV take on @treorchyzebras away and our Youth XV play home against @bonymaenrugby – both KOs 2.30pm
Come support your teams 💚💛
#athathath
Ollie Olds
Ollie rejoined the Ath after a long absence towards the end of season 2023-2024 and played a significant role in his 5 games and 1 try at scrum half in ensuring the club stayed in Div 1 West Central that season.
To date he has made 37 1st XV Apps with 5 tries and 43 points.
He then played an important role in last season’s success playing in both half back positions. This season he has played in 10 games as a No 10 and has been instrumental in our successful league and cup campaign to date whether setting the back line moving, making breaks or his long spiral kicks for territory.
In his days with Ath M&J he converted to rugby league winning a Welsh U16 RL Cap.
He joined Leeds Rhinos winning a full Welsh Rugby League Cap in 2012 while playing for their U20 team before his senior debut.
He then spent 10 years playing rugby league in Australia continuing to represent Wales RL on 11 occasions crossing for 3 tries – before heading home to play RL with Swinton Lions in 2023.
BARFC Head Coach Stuart Morris Presented the Nathaniel Car Sales Player of October 2025 award to Ollie Olds.
Iestyn played for the Ath in their first stint in the Championship and was a very strong and mobile hooker.
The Ravens came calling and he spent 9 seasons there playing 148 games and scoring 12 tries and made a very successful transition to the back row,
Season 2024-2025 along with many other Premier players Iestyn returned to the Ath and as Vice-Captain and pack leader was very inspirational in last season’s great successes.
He also captained the side that won the District Cup.
His experience and influence have resulted in a very successful start for the Ath this season in the Championship East captaining the side in Sept wins against St Peters and the 1st Round of the Championship Cup.
BARFC Head Coach Stuart Morries presented The Ath 1st XV Nathaniel Car Sales POM for September to Iestyn Merriman.
In November 2024 Wayne Fooks became the BARFC Senior Club Record holder with 530 Senior Apps.
Many thought that having achieved that goal he would hang up his boots at the end of the season. However, in July 2025 he rocked up for training sessions with the same enthusiasm as 28 seasons ago and has been a regular this season and has now achieved a remarkable 550 appearances.
These comprise 466 1st XV Apps,84 2nd XV Apps with 31 tries and 155 points.
BARFC Head Coach Stuart Morris presented Wayne with a token of our appreciation for his loyalty and commitment to the Ath.
NB: BARFC have the Champagne on Ice for when he cracks the 600 Apps barrier!!
