News

It has been an extraordinary action packed end to the season for Bridgend Sports Mini and Junior Teams. The Club’s very successful annual rugby Festival at Pencoed College was once again a great success and at the end of the month over 400 people made the club’s annual Mini and Juniors Rugby tour to Exmouth. More on this later, first it’s a report on the annual Bridgend Sports Mini Rugby Festival.

The club is extremely grateful to Bridgend College for its continued support for their annual rugby festival. This year another 39 clubs made the journey to the sports complex at Pencoed to filed fifty one sides overall. Some 760 players entered in to the festival spirit to produce free flowing rugby in an environment specifically designed to make the day enjoyable for all, helped by a sprinkling of spring sunshine throughout the day. The range of catering and entertainment outlets on offer added to the festival atmosphere.

Under Sevens

The Under 7's welcomed Pencoed, Neath Athletic, Tondu, Aberavon, Llantwit Major & Pontyclun. Most of the clubs were able to field 2 sides with a big turnout.

Under Eights

After all the hard work training as two separate units and learning to integrate into any team worked on the day. The Under Eights played 12 games which were fast paced and entertaining to watch. The team of 15 keen and enthusiastic players tagged like demons ripping 207 tags of the opposition’s belts. The Sports results from the day are below but it was all about every child playing rugby. A day when results are almost irrelevant. 
 

Bridgend Sports 6  Maesteg Celtic 4; Bridgend Sports 4 Porthcawl 8;Bridgend Sports 5  Pencoed 5; Bridgend Sports 2  Caerphilly 4;Bridgend Sports 4 Kenfig Hill 4; Bridgend Sports 6 Llanharan 9;
Bridgend Sports 1 Llanharan 4; Bridgend Sports 3 Tondu 3;Bridgend Sports 1  Caerphilly 4; Bridgend Sports 5 Talywain 3; Bridgend Sports 3 Treorchy 5; Bridgend Sports 3  Caerphilly 4.

Under Nines

The Under Nines fielded an almost  full squad. Five fast paced 15 minute games were played in good weather on excellent grounds. The sports faced some very large and physical teams which overwhelmed the team a little and prevented some of the better running rugby that the side can produce. It was a good learning curve for the players and coaches alike which will be used to develop the children. Star Player award when to Seth James who played remarkably well on his debut for the Sports and was able to score tries and tackle solidly for his new team. Results in the game’s order were:

Bridgend Sports 25 Llanharan 20; Bridgend Sports 10 Treorchy 30; Bridgend Sports 10 Maesteg Celtic 25; Bridgend Sports 15 Pencoed 35; Bridgend Sports 15 Oakdale 20

Under Tens

The  Under Tens hosted teams from Talywain, Rhumney, Whitehead, Bridgend Athletic and Tondu. The Sports fielded two teams and entertained the crowd with some great running rugby. Results included 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses. The team was proud of a derby win  against neighbours Bridgend Athletic and near neighbours Tondu. All and all,

 it was a great day for all clubs.

Under Elevens

The Under Elevens welcomed Penallta, Beaufort Steelers, Aberavon Quins and Whiteheads to the  festival. All teams looked to play attractive rugby with some great skills on display. Sports played well throughout, with plenty of direct running, off-loading and great ball handling skills to run in some nice tries. The Sports won 3 of their games and narrowly lost the other, but put in some great performances, which is what really mattered on the day. Everyone enjoyed themselves with plenty of new rugby friends made.

The 2019 Festival followed the huge success of 2018 and planning has already  begun for 2020.

The Tour..

Returning to the club tour and  with little time for a rest for the team of volunteers who all work together to produce a supportive and inclusive  environment focused on the development of young players. The Mini and Junior Rugby Teams headed off to the South Coast  for the annual tour. Just under four hundred people made the trek south to Exmouth for another action packed weekend where all children enjoyed a weekend of sport , rugby and the odd party. 

It was a meet and greet event on Friday evening with Karaoke thrown in for good measure , then up for a mini Olympics on the beach where the children enjoyed a range of activities that included : Fill the Water Tub, Wheel Barrow Race, The Caterpillar Challenge and Team Sprints.  Fittingly it was the Blue team that emerged victorious but overall every child had fun. It was onto Sunday next, when Exmouth RFC proved to be outstanding hosts for the Sports.  The club organised a festival for all age groups from Under Sevens to Under Thirteens with sides from the South West of England. Whilst the pathway rules are different across the bridge, rugby proved to be the winner with some welsh wizardry mainly prevailing on the day.

The Under Sevens and Under Elevens played sides from the host club Exmouth. The Under Eights played  Exmouth and St Martins Old Boys School. The Under Nines and Under Tens  faced Exmouth,  St Martins Old Boys School and Exeter Saracens, the Under Twelves were kept fully occupied with two games against Exmouth and two against Stow on the Wold, whilst the Under Thirteens played a combined Exmouth and St Martins Old Boys then in a thrilling climax to the day took Exeter Saracens unbeaten season’s record defeating the Devon outfit 20 – 25 in an outstanding game of rugby.   

All players and parents were exemplary all weekend. The club is extremely proud of the young players efforts in representing their club and country with great pride.

Back at home, the Under Fifteens played their final game of the season against a very strong Llanelli Wanderers side. The Sports put in an extremely brave effort before going down to the Wanderers. Sports points scorers were Archie Faulkner-Lerway with two tries,  Morgan Rees with one try which was converted by Owain Peters). Sports Man of the Match was awarded to  Luke Yates. The side has a brilliant group of players who continue to develop and improve every year. They have enjoyed a fantastic season.

Hot off the press, to top off what has been a wonderful April for Bridgend Sports, the club learned late on Friday, that it has been shortlisted for the Ospreys Community Club of the Year award. There will be stiff competition for sure and all eyes will be on the Liberty Stadium next Friday.