Fixture

A fixture between two teams who are the closest of neighbours is always one of rivalry and one-upmanship, whatever the age of the players. Ultimately, the game of rugby must be the winner and so it proved to be with Sunday’s game between two competitive teams.

The heavy rain overnight on Saturday added in a wet heavy pitch to ensure there was limited opportunity for any free flowing movements throughout the game.  It proved to be a hard physical encounter for all young players from both teams, as the game was dominated by defences that would take an injection of class to break down, if a rare opportunity to score presented itself.

  For fourteen and a half of the fifteen minutes in the first period, the teams cancelled each other out with tackles, rucks and scrums dominating play until the Sports conceded a penalty. The Athletic reacted quickly and worked the ball to the classy Tristan James who used his pace and power to sprint in for the Athletic to lead 0 – 1 at the break after an extremely close and competitive first period.

In the second period, the game followed a similar pattern, but the Sports lost ball at critical stages as the Athletic allowed them little space. Three minutes into the half the Athletic penetrated the home defence again as Tristan James popped up to race away for his second try of the game.  Rhys Hockings was next to score for the Athletic to take a 3 – 0  lead before the Sports dug in deep and mounted several attacks but were unable to break down a resolute defence. They  succumbed to a further Tristan James try late on in the period.

With both sides having limited game time over the last ten weeks, they opted to play two further periods. The Sports showed great spirit and character to mount a fightback with all squad members displaying a huge heart, they narrowly lost the third period 0 - 1. Conditions and pressure had played their part, as did the contribution of Tristan James who scored his fourth and the Athletic’s fifth try of the game.

The final period saw the Sports rewarded for their team effort, heart and courage, epitomised by contributions from Callum Lewis, Mackenzie Dent, Joel Rogers, Dylan Morgan, Harri Wiiliams , Cian John , Ben King, Tom chick and the workmanlike Thomas Coles.  Callum Lewis scored the first try for Bridgend Sports following a Mackenzie Dent charge.  In the final moments of the game , Cian John got a rare chance to show his electric pace as he was set free down the touch line to score in the corner for the Sports to lead the final period 2 -0 and bring the final score to 2 – 5.

Both teams deserve huge credit for determined and brave performances in a game played in excellent spirt.

Bridgend Sports match day squad : Bailey Llewellyn Hopkins, Ben King, Callum Lewis, Cian John, Dylan Morgan, Harri Williams, Ieuan Pilliner, Joel Rogers, Mackenzie Dent, Mason Balmer, Morgan Edwards, Thomas Chick and Thomas Coles.