Fixture

BRIDGEND SPORTS UNDER TENS 3 KENFIG HILL UNDER TENS 3

This was always going to be a competitive affair between two teams of contrasting styles and philosophies. That is exactly how it turned out to be on Sunday morning at the Bandstand Field.

The Sports Under Tens like to put width on the ball and involve all squad players whilst the Mules prefer the direct route using a couple of their more skilful, powerful players at every set piece and then use those same players at defensive rucks to power over the ball. This was how the game played out on the day, in what proved to be, a very competitive and entertaining game for all involved.

Kenfig Hill won the toss and straight from the off, they set Eli Cowen on a run through the middle. The attack was brought to halt with a fine tackle from Hari Williams and Cian John. The Sports then secured a steel at the ruck area which set them off as Iestyn John and Cian John made breaks to take play deep into the Kenfig Hill half.  Kenfig Hill recovered to force a turnover close to their own line to deny the Sports an early lead.  The teams battled out the remainder of the period with both adopting their different tactics. Kenfig Hill made a break-through right at the end of the half, as Eli Cowen eventually found some space out wide to race in for a score at the end of an attack which started 5 metres into the Sports half for the Mules to take a 0 – 1 lead.

The Sports started the second period with possession. They increased the tempo and moved the ball in hand around the field. Their determination and team spirit came to the fore and this attitude, combined with the handling skills put supporting players into space exposed some cracks in their opponent’s defence.  They soon eradicated the deficit with an early second period try. Joel Rogers made a break in field before passing on to Tom Coles, who was having an excellent game, he passed to Mackenzie Dent who made good ground before passing to Cian John who then put Callum Lewis in space to score a try in the corner. Kenfig Hill restarted but were brought to a halt and lost possession at the ruck, Hari Williams spotted space down the blind side. He set off on a run, then switched play inside, further good handling from the Sports put Morgan Edwards into space but he was hauled down just short of the line, quick recycling and a couple of short range attacks forced a penalty. A quick tap saw Joel Rogers find space and exploit a gap for the home team to go into a 2 -1 lead. The lead didn’t last long however, as straight from the restart, Kenfig Hill used the power and pace of Donovan Ranken to break through to run in for the try to bring the scores level. Both sides competed hard for the next score with penalties conceded by both teams. Kenfig Hill looked to have found some space, it needed one pass to exploit, it but Harri Williams read it and made an interception to race in for the final score of the second period for the Sports to lead 3 -2 overall.

With all to play for in the final period, both sets of players were showing their competitive spirit with neither side getting the upperhand. Kenfig Hill almost scored early but another run from Eli Cowen was brought to a stop with a try stopping tackle from Callum Lewis. A similar attack was brought to a halt, moments later, as Harri Williams put in a brave tackle. The Sports then broke out of defence with some direct running from Cadan Hayes, Dewi Worrall and Mason Balmer before the attack was stopped. Kenfig Hill equalised moments later with a carbon copy of their second try. This time it was Eli Cowen who made the break down the touch line. He used his strength to run in for the try and level the game score 3 – 3. It was a highly competitive game and a credit to both teams who played in very different styles.

The Sports rotated players throughout the game to ensure young players are developed, they also moved the ball to find and exploit space, whereas Kenfig Hill preferred to use the size and strength of one or two key players to score tries.

Sports Matchday Squad: Ben King, Cadan Hayes, Callum Lewis, Cian John, Dewi Worrall, Harri Williams, Iestyn John, Ieuan Pilliner, Jodie Keane, Joel Rogers, Mackenzie Dent, Mason Balmer, Matthew Gates, Morgan Edwards, Tom Chick, Tom Coles, Tyler Burton