Fixture

Bridgend Sports Club 53 Bridgend Athletic 14

This was an emphatic win for the Sports with all seven tries coming from their three quarters with a hat trick each for Lee Roderick and Scott Callicott. The latter scoring 27 points in all. Early pressure came from the Athletic in this important ‘Bowl’ match with their heavy forwards looking to dominate a tight driving game. When the Sports did get possession they showed from the very outset their pace and intentions as fly half Callum Griffiths slipped effortlessly through the visitors defence making a 30 metre break, held near the line, the ball was quickly distributed to Scott Callicott to score a good try which he converted.

The next attack by the ‘Ath’ was stopped in its track as wing forward Lloyd Wilson stole the ball with ease and the Sports cleared their line. Now the Sports show some great line out skills with Dewi Rees winning fast ball ‘off the top’ and fed Jason Donovan for him to quickly get Griffiths away once more but this time it is Callicott who carves through the ‘Ath’ defence and a neat miss-pass to Leigh Roderick on the left allowed the winger to dive over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Lloyd Wilson once more turned over possession for the Sports and chipped ahead for the quick Sports threequarters to presurise their opposition, which they did making them give away a penalty in front of the posts and Callicott extended the lead to 15-0. Good fast ball from the line out continued for the Sports threes and Griffiths were having a field day running so well and they found some space for the hard working fast left winger Tom Lillico to create an extra man on inside of the right wing, he showed real pace and didn’t need Roderick who was in support, he scored himself and Callicott took the lead to 22-0.

On the stoke of halftime the ‘Ath’ make a strong break to the Sports line with fly half Steve Lewis looking quick and dangerous, and forced the home side to defend strongly but the pressure was too much and Will Baraclough scored half way out for Lewis to end the half 22-7. Almost from the kick off it was the turn of centre Josh Collins to show his strength as he made good crash ball hard yards from quick ball from James Donovan and on his shoulder was Callicott again, to touch down and add the two extra to take the score to 29-7. Good running once more from Lloyd Wilson and Josh Collins threw the ‘Ath’s defence into disarray and they give Callicott the chance to increase the lead to 32-7 with another penalty.

With number 8, Alun Evans and the Sports forwards now showing dominance and making the real hard yards along with Wilsons great turn over technique it was only a matter of time before space was created for Lee Roderick to extend the lead to 37-7 as Callum Griffiths took over the kicking, to add the extra points to 39-7. The overlap was created time and time again for the wingers but when right winger Roderick popped up in the center the only route he was going was ‘route one’ as he ran straight through everyone at pace for a fine try, his third and a conversion from Callum Griffiths made the score 46-7.

The ‘Ath’ didn’t let up at all although being well beaten they drove well in the forwards and showed a lot of pride as they rumbled to the line and it was Nick Hinton who made it look easy as he scored. Lewis added the points so the score became 46-14. Scott Callicott was ever present and when he was again in a good supporting position he drifed over for his third try, taking his tally to 27 points and a man of the match award. Griffiths converted and the game ended 53-14.

This was a good performance from the young Sports side and special mention has to be made of captain Greg Thomas who was fautless in his leadership.

Next week it is league action for the Sports at the Bandstand field against Cwmgors. KO 2.30pm as usual.

Match Report by Garnet Edwards.