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Bridgend Athletic RFC recorded a seasonal double against nearest Division 1 East Rivals Gilfach Goch with a hard earned 19-10 victory at Newbridge Fields. With both sides desperate for points it was a must win game. Gilfach Goch kicked off with a favourable moderate breeze in their favour and a very greasy surface.

Gilfach had the better of the opening exchanges but a combination of spirited Athletic defence and handling errors saw the Athletic ride out the early away side’s attacks. Gradually the Athletic pack assumed a degree of control over the game. Veterans prop Wayne Fooks and lock Jonathon Stoker were strong ball carriers throughout and the front row of Matthew Muir, Lee Murphy and Fooks had the edge in the set scrum. Athletic flanker Sean Williams had an immense game ruling the line out throughout.

Somehow with Gilfach Goch driving a maul into the Athletic 22 flanker and captain Ben Howe came away with the ball before offloading to outside half Caine Woolerton. Woolerton broke into the Gilfach half and a chip ahead went into touch on the Gilfach 22 metre line. Gilfach were penalised at the line out and full back Aled Thomas kicked to touch 5 metres from the Gilfach line. The initial Athletic drive was repelled, but the Athletic were patient setting up surge after surge at the Gilfach line. Lock Will Petchell went close. Having committed the Gilfach side to a narrow defence scrum half Dan James launched the back line. Outside half Woolerton brought centres Chris Price and Tom Jenkins into play and slick passing saw full back Aled Thomas enter the line to cross wide out. Woolerton converted to give his side a 7-0 lead.

Buoyed by this score the Athletic went back on the attack and the backs launched another attack inside the Gilfach 22. However, a long pass was picked off by a Gilfach defender who raced away into the Athletic 22. Athletic wing Will Barraclough did manage to cut off the player, but Gilfach outside half Liam Greening was in support to score out wide to reduce his side’s deficit to 7-5.

With half time looming Athletic No 8 Ben Davies broke from inside his own half and with support from fellow back row forwards Ben Howe and Sean Williams carried the ball into the Gilfach 22. The Athletic went through the phases and eventually outside half Woolerton wriggled over with the final move of the half. He converted his own try to give the Athletic a 14-5 half time lead.

Gilfach hit back within 5 minutes of the second half They pressured the Athletic on their try line. An ambitious pass in defence by the Athletic went astray and Gilfach prop Declan Thomas pounced to score and reduce the Athletic lead to 14-10.

The Athletic pack were generally in control of the game but were trying to play from too far out in difficult handling conditions to the frustration of the coaches who were urging them to kick for territory. The Athletic brought on fresh legs with prop Matthew Norman, lock Joe Grabham and flanker Tom Davies joining the action. Norman was prominent carrying the ball along with hooker Lee Murphy and Stoker in the latter stages. Their pick and goes took the Athletic into the Gilfach 22 when the back line moved the ball quickly through the hands of James, Woolerton, Price and Jenkins to wing Owain Leyshon. Leyshon ran strongly for 15 metres and dived low to prevent the tackle and slid over the try line to give the Athletic a 19-10 lead.

Gilfach were desperate for a losing bonus point and aided by a succession of penalties had a 5-metre line out in the last minute. The Athletic were penalised halting the driving maul. However, Gilfach kicked the ball dead when aiming for another 5-metre touch to end the game without a league point on the day.

Athletic Coach Gerald Williams was pleased with the Ath’s commitment stating. “We grafted out a very important win.” The club are grateful to its Mini & Junior Section coaches and committee for its ongoing support and for sponsoring the fixture.

The Athletic now face 3 games against teams in the top four positions in the league. Away games against Treorchy this Saturday Jan 5^th, followed by another away game at league leaders Glamorgan Wanderers before a home game against Rumney.