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This week’s fixtures were shrouded with a cloud , as all teams paid their respects to former club president Andy Chinn OBE who sadly passed away this week. Andy was a club legend as a player and administrator. He  took great delight in seeing young players taking to the field each week. All sides observed a minute’s silence before the game and wish to  send their deepest condolences and sympathies to Andy’s family, at this sad time.     

The Under Sevens welcomed a good Bridgend Athletic side for a competitive game. There was some great running and skills on display. Danny Beal made a fine debut. Isaac Davies & Dion Williams both scored good tries and kept a solid defence.

The man of the match went to Dion Williams who gave a hundred percent throughout.

The Under Eights hosted Kenfig Hill and Bridgend Athletic. They delivered a great team effort. All players  worked well to keep their line. Sports enjoyed plenty of possession and the players tagged like demons whenever their opponents had the ball.  

Top taggers were Matthew Griffiths and Archie Hall with17 tags each. In attack the following players scored tries: Leo D’Adamo (2) Archie Hall (2) Gethin Roberts (2) Rhydian Cronin (1) Ollie Balmer (1) Aled Rees (1) Mikey Heanue (1) Alex Bright (1) Charlie Hearing (1)

Sports 2 – Athletic 4 ; Sports 1 –Athletic 3;Sports 3 – Kenfig Hill 9; Sports 2 –  Athletic 5;  Sports 3 – Kenfig Hill 4

The Under Nines had a tough morning as they went down 15 – 65 to their neighbours. Sports try scorers were: Dan Perryman, Dan Flower, and Rhiwbyn David who scored on his debut. Evelyn Murray was tackler of the week and Rhiwbyn David was Star Player.  

The Under Tens welcomed a good Athletic team. Both sides contributed to a series of four hotly contested derbies. Every player for the Sports fronted up and gave their all with some heroic defence and gritty determination in the tackle area. The games were a pleasure to watch.

The Athletic took the spoils in the first game with a 30-15 victory. The second game was a little closer with the Athletic winning 20-15. The last two games were close fought out draws 20-20  and 25-25.

The Sports try scorers were Harry Mallinson, Osian Stephens (3), Lennon Griffiths, Oskar Amerein, Reuben Williams, Noah Roberts (3), Tom Curley, Sion Coulthard, Billy Carpenter-Davies & Leo Giroud (2).

The Under Elevens played the Athletic and Llantrisant. In the first game against the Athletic , the Sports threw everything at their opponents  but could not penetrate an organised defence. The Athletic responded with two quick tries then the game tightened until the Athletic broke free again to score two further tries. Bridgend Sports 0 Bridgend Athletic 20.  

Llantrisant also proved to be well drilled, tough opponents in a game that featured good, hard tackling and rucking, both teams defended and worked hard. Llantrisant scored four tries but the Sports never say die attitude produced a late try from  Finley Goodwin.  Sports 5 Llantrisant 20. Chloe Roblin was star player of the week for an excellent forward display.

The Under Twelves defeated Valley Ravens 17-5. The Sports responded brilliantly against strong opponents after the disapointment of last week. The forwards fronted up to present good ball for the backs.  Luke Mumford, Dan Harris, Gruff Roberts, Tom Bimson, and Sam Gardner carried well. They were well supported by the rest of the pack in competing at the ruck area. The Sports defence always caused plenty of problems, to  force the Ravens backwards. The Sports scored two tries in the first half through  Ben Evans and Gruff Roberts,  both converted by Sam Gardner for a 14-0 halftime lead.

They continued to control the game in the second half, playing a lot of rugby in the away teams half. A penalty in front of the post gave the sports an easy three points for a 17-0 lead. A little complacency set in which allowed the Ravens to score  a soft try to reduce the score to 17-5.

The Under Thirteens hosted Aberavon Green Stars this week. Previous games between the two sides had always been close. The Green Stars won the toss and opted to receive the kick. From the early exchange it was evident that the game was going to be a  tough physical encounter. The teams were committed in the tackle and the ruck was no place for the faint hearted as both sides competed hard but fair at the break down.   None more so than Sports centre Callum Lewis who from the kick off was in the thick of the action and whenever Green Stars threatened the back line he was there to put in some thumping tackles.  His early tackle from the kick off secured a scrum for the Sports , quick  ball put Connor Jones into space. He took play into the Green Stars twenty two, quick ruck ball and some nice hands saw him back on his feet to take a try scoring pass to put the Sports into an early lead.

Bridgend Sports mounted a further attack from a scrum following the restart with Jack Morgan making a break. Thomas Coles was on hand to provide an important link to Cian John who set up a  kick and chase which almost produced a try, only just denied by the ball  running over the dead ball line. Green Stars were awarded a penalty from the drop out twenty two, they opted to run it only for their attack to be snuffed out with a  sound tackle from Mollie Prance and Connor Jones. The Stars were soon on the attack again but this time it was Sports wing Abi Davies Jones who brought the attack to a halt with in a fine tackle , her team mate Megan Lewis snapped up the loose ball to mount  a counter attack, scrum half Will Ellis, centre Callum Lewis and full back Callum Jones kept up the attack going, Megan Lewis was in the action again before she passed to Connor Jones who broke through the last line of defence to extend the Sports lead to 10 - 0. The game was heating up as both sides increased the intensity of play and both sides defensive game ensured the score remained at 10 -0 for a while. The Green Stars kept up the pressure on the home team with their pick and go and spread the ball wide strategy, but the Sports defence remained solid. 

Green Star’s Danny Jones brought things a little closer to narrow the gap to five points with a fine try , the Green Stars won the line out ball moved it quickly to put the centre in space out wide, he made no mistake with the opportunity . 

With the scores now close the Sports needed to respond , Iestyn John was straight up on his opponents  from the kick off to force a turnover, the Lewis and Jones combination sustained the attack before half backs Will Ellis and Cian John took play on , Cian John saw and exploited a gap in the defence , there was no stopping him as he scored near the post.  Ben King was the next to score as his fellow forwards Thomas Coles, Megan Lewis,  and Mackenzie Dent maintained the pressure on the Green Stars with good work around the field.   Ben King used his strength and power then his pace to break through and score the last try of the half.

In a game that tested the character of the Bridgend Sports team, they needed to start the second half as positive as they had done in the first. In fairness the team showed how much they are developing as they made a step change in their physical approach. Displaying great heart, they matched their opponents in  attitude and physicality. The Cian John and Connor Jones magic extended the lead to 32 points to 5 with a try each. Aberavon Green Stars were not to be outdone as wing Aled Jones responded with a try and Rhys Bates converted to narrow the scores to 32-12. The Sports showed how much they are maturing as they kept their structure in attack and defence, backs Thomas Chick , Iestyn John ,Callum Jones,  Cian John and Will Ellis were always dangerous and key work from forwards  Mackenzie Dent, Ben King , Thomas Coles ,Ieuan Pilliner,  Mason Balmer, Theo Clarke and Tyler Burton ensured the Sports  had the final say with the last try. The Sports enjoyed a sustained period of pressure with backs and forwards combining well. They were penalised at a breakdown for holding on however Tom Chick gathered the clearance kick near the touch line, he ran straight into the heart of the defence before off-loading to Tyler Burton who linked with Ben King, he headed across field before straightening and passing the ball onto Connor Jones who scored, to take his tally to four tries in the game.  Ieuan Pilliner added his second conversion of the game.        

It was a game that the Sports needed to produce a performance of real character and although some tries were left out on the field, all players and coaches can take great credit from a much improved  team performance that saw them match their opponent’s physicality. It will stand them in good stead for their Ospreys Quarter final cup game in two week’s time, at home to Baglan. New players are always welcome to join the Sports growing squad, please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages; Bridgend Sports RFC Minis & Juniors or @SportsMiniRugby on Twitter.

Bridgend Sports Matchday Squad:   Abi Davies Jones; Ben King; Callum Jones; Callum Lewis; Chloe Gant; Cian John; Connor Jones; Iestyn John; Ieuan Pilliner; Jack Morgan; Mackenzie Dent; Mason Balmer; Megan Lewis; Mollie Prance; Theo Clarke; Thomas Chick; Thomas Coles; Tyler Burton and  Will Ellis.

Under Fifteens

The Under Fifteens visited Caerau Ely for the first time , Ely provided a warm welcome and  played their part in a good game of rugby.  The Sports needed to be patient against an organised defence and spent much of the first half in opposition territory. Midweek training had an impact on the first try with a move that went through numerous phases and involved both the forwards and backs. This set the tone for the rest of the game with the Sports  showing a willingness to run the ball from all over the pitch. The Sports scored seven tries and four conversions  to run out 45-7 victors. Tries were scored by Jack Thomas (3), Sam Goodwin, Rhys Mitchell (2) and James Murray. Sam Goodwin (4 conversions) and Owain Peters should also be commended for some great kicking. Jack Thomas was Man of the Match.

Under Sixteens

The Under Sixteens enjoyed their trip to historic Llantwit Major who were great hosts and offered to share players. The Sports started well scoring within minutes, Llantwit soon fought back to take 7 – 5 lead

The sports responded with three quick tries and then a short while later the fourth, after a break away down field.

It continued to be a fast pace game and all players were exhausted at the end, the Sports  winning 34 – 51.