Fixture

Bridgend Sports  Under Thirteens 50   V  Tonna Under Thirteens 15

OSPREYS CUP

The Sports Under Thirteens ventured into the Ospreys Cup for the first time as they hosted Tonna in the first round at home on Sunday.  With the competition operating on a straight knock out basis this season, there was everything to play for, as winner took all.  The Sports soon learned that cup games are different when Tonna took an early lead. They broke out of defence, kicked  ahead for  their winger to chase and gather then sprint in for a try which was started in their own 22.  

Five nil down , the Sports needed to respond quickly. They obliged quite quickly, when from the restart, they reclaimed possession. The ball was worked quickly to Callum Lewis at inside centre, he spotted a gap in the defence. He was quick to exploit it and outpace the defence for a try  to level the scores.   Cian John put the Sports in front after forwards Mason Balmer and Megan Lewis did the groundwork to provide quality ball, Cian John then made a break to leave defenders staring into  thin air as he headed to the line to score the next try.  Ieuan Pilliner added the conversion to put the Sports 12 -5 up.   It wasn’t long before Tonna narrowed the gap to two points,  as the Sports paid the price for being a little complacent. They conceded a penalty which Tonna kicked for field position, the lineout was a bit scrappy, but they managed to move it wide for their winger to run in the try.

  A few motivational words behind the line served the purpose of awakening the Sports players into realising they were in a game and winning takes effort.    They needed a spark and Connor Jones provided the fire, as he used his strength and speed to power his way past defenders to score two tries that were converted for the Sports to lead 26-10 at half time. It was the combined effort of his team that helped  build some  momentum with Abi Davies Jones, Callum Lewis, Iestyn John, Tom Chick, Cian John and Mackenzie Dent to the fore.  

The platform was built to enable the Sports to start the second half from a position of strength and take hold of the tie. They managed to get their forward game to function as they started to dominate the loose play.  Megan Lewis broke from a ruck to gain ground; Ben King was on hand to switch the angle of attack and then use his strength to power over the line for the opening score of the half. Cian John added the conversion.

 Tonna were soon back under pressure on their own line and when they failed to clear , Connor Jones was on hand to snap up loose ball on the line and ground it to extend the Sports lead to 38 -10. The Sports relaxed again and fell off some tackles. This allowed Tonna a try before Connor Jones scored another try. He broke from a scrum to help his team restore the 28 point gap. Cian John converted to extend the lead to 45 – 15.

Now dominant,  the Sports had the final say , when from a scrum in their own twenty two, Connor Jones  broke away then linked with his winger Tom Chick who rounded his opposite number and stretched his legs to sprint in from halfway for a fine and final try to extend the lead to 50-15. His side had enjoyed  their first round venture in the Ospreys Cup and will look forward to seeing who they meet next when the second round draw is made in early January.  

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