Fixture

Bridgend Sports RFC Under Twelves 7  V Treorchy Under Twelves 7

It was the side with the springbok colours last week, this week it was the turn of the Zebras to visit the Sports. A tough encounter was anticipated by the home team and the late withdrawal, due to illness, of one or two players disrupted things for a short while but with the squad numbers growing the Sports showed their metal in this game. Building on a fine performance from the week before, Sports confidence is growing and they refused to be bullied by the visiting team.

In perfect rugby weather the Sports kicked off, Treorchy gathered and opted to kick ahead. Harri Williams gathered and took it straight back into the Treorchy half, the ball was retained at the first ruck, Cian John kicked into space, Treorchy cleared and followed up the kick to retain the ball but knocked on. The Sports secured the scrum ball and moved it quickly but were held up, a ruck formed which they won to set up another short run but lost the ball at the next ruck. Treorchy countered but were cut short by a Ieuan Pilliner tackle which forced the Zebras to concede a penalty.  The Sports cleared but were soon under pressure again as the Zebras forwards gained the upper hand for short while. The Sports persevered to claw their way back into the Treorchy half when a clever switch move, saw Iestyn John make ground down the blind side but play was halted as Treorchy stole possession at the maul. Treorchy did not make use of the possession and the half ended with both sides all square at 0 – 0 for the second week in a row.

For long periods of the second half both sides tried to run the ball but as much as they threatened, neither side could find any real fluidity to their play as ball was spilled and events at the breakdown stifled any real momentum in the game.  Mackenzie Dent and Megan Lewis tried a more direct route and made ground into the Treorchy half, only to see possession conceded at the next phase of play.

Midway through the half, the away side managed to create some space out wide for their winger to tip toe down the touch line and then cross under the post to take his side into the lead with the conversion added for a 0 – 7 lead.

From the restart, Treorchy tried to attack from deep but good tackles from Bailey Llewellyn, Iestyn John, Mason Balmer and Thomas Coles kept them boxed in their twenty-two.  Treorchy eventually managed to break out of the twenty-two but then conceded a penalty. Cian John kicked down field for Callum Lewis to chase, he secured the ball and from the ruck Mackenzie Dent took an attack to within three metres. The Sports worked it through several phases with Efan Dyer, Megan Lewis and Harri Williams all driving forward before Mackenzie Dent powered his way through the last tacklers standing to score under the posts. Cian John added the conversion to level the score at 7 – 7.    Treorchy re started and the Sports forwards ran straight back at the Zebras before play broke down for the game to end all square. Both sides showed plenty of endeavour but on a day where conditions were ideal for running rugby, neither team managed to find any fluidity in their game.

Bridgend Sports Matchday Squad.

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