Fixture

The BBC Scrum V good feud guide this week chose the Llandaff North v Llandaff rugby game as their local derby game of the week, but you will not get closer than a good old Bridgend Sports v Bridgend Athletic derby game, with only a few hundred yards separating the sides’ pitches.

Newbridge Fields rugby pitches were kept fully occupied all Sunday morning to illustrate the strength of rugby in the town. First up on an Autumnal morning were the Under Twelves. In a tightly contested, highly competitive game, the Athletic Kicked off, playing with the wind at their backs.   Scoring opportunities were limited as the Athletic tried to move the ball, but great pressure from the Sports defence forced errors that pinned their opponents in their own half for long periods. Both sides tried to attack but were unable to make any breakthrough as the half ended 0 – 0.

It was clear both sides took great pride in playing the game, as all players tried to play some open rugby despite some tricky conditions.

Bridgend Athletic scored ten minutes into the second half as they found a way to spread the ball and put Rhys Hockings into space to race into score under the posts. With the conversion added the lead was extended to 0-7. Undeterred the Sports stuck at the task and showed great commitment and spirit but could not get players into space to secure a score. Defensively, Harri Williams led from the front, his efforts were back up by his team with Thomas Coles, Callum Lewis, Iestyn John, Cian John and Meg Lewis to the fore.

The Athletic then pulled off a training ground move to breech the Sports defence again with try from Leo Quinn, which was also converted. Undeterred the Sports worked a couple of back row moves to send Mackenzie Dent and Meg Lewis into the Athletic half.

The Athletic clawed their way back into the Sports half and then secured a penalty to gain further ground and put in at a line out. They moved the ball to create space and put Jacob Williams in for the final score.      

  The Sports coaches were hugely encouraged by their players’ efforts, commitment and team spirt.  It was clear from the smiles on their players’ faces at the end of the game, confidence is growing. With all the squad developed and grown from within the club, the investment will pay dividends in the medium to long term. Time and effort will nurture players’ development, enabling players to grow and enjoy the game.

New players are always welcome to Bridgend Sports, the Under Twelves train every Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. on the Bandstand Field. Anyone interested can turn up and join.

Bridgend Sports Match Day Squad:

Abi Davies Jones, Bailey Llewellyn Hopkins; Callum Lewis; Cian John; Dylan Morgan; Efan Dyer; Harri Williams; Iestyn John; Ieuan Pilliner; Jodie Keane; Mackenzie Dent; Mason Balmer; Megan Lewis; Morgan Edwards; Theo Clarke; Thomas Chick; Thomas Coles; Tyler Burton.