Fixture

Llantwit Major Under Thirteens visited the Bandstand this Sunday for a game against Bridgend Sports Under Thirteens. Although, the Llantwit Major squad was depleted by illness, the Sports wanted to support the wider ethos of the game i.e. Participation for all and supported their opponents by sharing players to ensure all players had quality game time and did not miss a development opportunity.

The home team were very generous with the sharing of resources, they were also very focused with the rugby when the game kicked off. They were able to secure possession and then attack with a mixture of direct running and subtle movement of the ball to the wings. It was not long before the Sports had taken the early lead, the first from an initial break from Outside half Cian John, he linked with his centres who moved it out to wing Callum Jones who sprinted in from 38 metres for the first try.  Callum Jones added a second Cian John scored the third from a nice solo break. Ieuan Pilliner added the three conversions.

Connor Jones was next to score when he fielded a kick just outside his twenty-two he carried it up went around the defender and raced in for the try. 

Llantwit Major were not going to give in easily and then, with the help of the two Sports players, rallied ae they began to claim their share of possession and a little territory for the next seven minutes. However, Cian John re-asserted control by scoring his second try. He also converted it. Lantwit Major hit back just before half time when Connor Jones swapped allegiances and broke way from the Sports cover, this time to score just before half time for Llantwit Major.

In the second half Llanwit Major showed great spirit as they competed for everything and mounted several attacks to trouble the Sports, but it was stalwart Jodie Keane who broke the deadlock for the Sports when the ball was worked out to her on the wing after a great break by Efan Dyer. Like all good wingers Jodie Keane saw space, sprinted away and there was no stooping her for as she went over in the corner. Chloe Gant scored next with a barnstorming run from the kick off. Molly Prance scored her first try for the club as she drove and glided a way through the Llantwit defence.  Llantwit continued to compete as they ran back at the Sports but some sound tackling from Will Ellis, Iestyn John. Callum Lewis, Mason Balmer and Jodie Keane kept the away team at bay. 

It was another Sports stalwart Thomas Coles also entered the score sheet when a find team effort saw Tyler Burton, Megan Lewis, Theo Clark and Chloe Gant all drive forward then Jodie Keane and Connor Jones making ground for Thomas Coles to be fed the ball from the ruck and he used his strength to score.  Iestyn John and Connor Jones added further scores to conclude the game and the Bridgend Sports Under Thirteens continued their fine opening to the season.

Rugby was the winner and given the challenges faced by many sides in retaining players through the teenage years, it is important that sides can work in such a positive way to sustain rugby to ensure the game thrives in the long term.

Bridgend Sports Under Thirteens wish to continue strengthening their squad, any players who are interested are more than welcome to come and join us, training is every Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. on the Bandstand Field, Newbridge Fields, Bridgend

Bridgend Sports Matchday Squad :Callum Jones, Callum Lewis; Chloe Gant; Cian John; Connor Jones; Dylan Morgan; Efan Dyer; Iestyn John; Ieuan Pilliner; Jodie Keane; Mason Balmer; Megan Lewis; Molly Prance; Theo Clarke; Thomas Chick; Thomas Coles; Tyler Burton; Will Ellis