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BRIDGEND SPORTS MINI AND JUNIOR RUGBY ROUND UP SUNDAY 03.03.19

The weather put pay to most of the Mini sides’ rugby games this week, but the Junior sides were fortunate to have played albeit in some pretty testing conditions.  The action played out as follows:

Under Elevens

The Under Elevens played in a round robin at Pencoed  where they faced Pencoed, Kenfig Hill and Maesteg Celtic.  They drew 10 -10 in an entertaining game with the hosts Pencoed, before losing  5 – 25 in a hard fought game against Kenfig Hill. With conditions deteriorating,  they played Maesteg Celtic in the final game which they won 35-10. It was a good team performance overall as players learned and adapted to play in very sticky, muddy and wet  conditions. Madison Rees was once again the stand out player.

Under Twelves

The Under Twelves battled more than the elements as they went down 24 - 12 at Tondu. The team could not get any momentum into their game,  they were constantly on the back foot as they struggled to gain any possession. The Sports however, confounded the conditions to take 0 -12 at half time but saw the game go away from them in the second half as Tondu scored four tries.

Under Thirteens

The Under Thirteens may have been underdogs in most peoples’ eyes, but they shook off the tag as they ran Tondu extremely close in what was an excellent Ospreys Cup Semi-Final  tie. The Sports  started at electric pace dominating all aspects of play for the first eight minutes as they mounted wave after wave of attack.  They took play to within two metres of the try line where they lost ball at a crucial stage. This allowed Tondu to secure possession and mount a break out which eventually saw them take the lead against the run of play. The Sports hit back with two tries and a conversion to take a 5 – 12  lead , only for Tondu to level at half time.  The Sports were out of the block early again in the second half and despite taking the lions’ share of possession, the Tondu defence stood resolute. The weather conditions played a part as passes fell to ground at key stages. Tondu opened a ten point gap with two tries as they changed tactics opting to kick ahead and put the ball behind the Sports. In a test of character, the Sports came back to take the game within a score, but despite their endeavour the Sports just fell short as Tondu won the game with the margin of a single try  22-17 . It was an outstanding game of rugby, played in excellent spirit and a credit to the development of young players in both clubs.  

Sports scorers : Connor Jones (2) Mackenzie Dent. Conversion Ieuan Pilliner

Under Fifteens.

The Under Fifteens visited Bonymaen, a side who narrowly lost to the Sports Under Fifteens  upcoming Ospreys Cup opponents, Waunarlwydd, in the Quarter Finals.

Sports Full-back, Sam Goodwin put in a classy performance in difficult conditions, turning numerous defensive kicks into attacking opportunities, with good support from the two wingers. Despite lengthy spells of pressure in the first half, with prop Luke Yates carrying the ball well, the Sports narrowly failed to batter their way over on a few occasions. Despite an early lead, the Sports had to settle, however, for a 10-12 deficit at half time.

In the second half, the Sports forwards employed a pick-and-go game which created space up the middle which enabled them to create and exploit more space out wide. Even in poor conditions the Sports backs and forwards combined well to produce a strong off-loading game which has served them well in recent weeks. The Sports approach ensured they emerged as winners in a game played out in difficult conditions.  Jack Bridgman enjoyed a fine debut. Sam Goodwin was Man of the Match.

Sports try scorers were  Dan Haycock (2), Mac Francis, Luke Yates and Zac Morris. Owain Peters added a conversion.

Bridgend Sports Under Fifteens  27 Bonymaen Under Fifteens 12