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Bridgend Athletic U7s played against a well organised Pontyclun team, with both clubs able to field two teams it meant plenty of game time. The Ath Greens showed great team work and character with Stand Out Tagger award going to Billy Creed followed closely by Luis Tooze. A big well done to Ollie Davies on scoring his first try for the club following in the footsteps of his father Hywel (Fuzz) Davies. The Ath Golds started a bit slow but soon matched the physicality & determination of Pontyclun. Stand Out Tagger award went to Harrison O’Brien on his debut with Charlie Tune & George Cowan both playing well in attack & defence. Next up for the U7’s is a trip to Llantwit Major.

It was back on the road on Sunday for the Ath’ U8’s who took an impressive compliment of 17 players to Pontyclun. Their hosts also boasting strong numbers meant that both clubs were able to field 2 teams. Despite conditions being a little heavy underfoot, it was a dry, fresh morning and one ideal for playing rugby.

Pontyclun proved stiff competition, being a well organised side who played an exciting brand of rugby. The Ath’s lack of structure in defence early doors afforded their opponents an unassailable lead in an early match but the Bridgend boys’ never say die attitude meant they dug deep and made the final score respectable.

Four matches were played in total with the Ath winning 2, Losing 1 and Drawing 1, scoring 32 tries and clocking up 156 tags.

Although not all the results went the way of the Ath’, for the coaches and parents alike, it is pleasing to see the boys developing, both as rugby players and in terms of the maturity in which they approach each match. The hosts today, at times let their frustration manifest itself in unsporting behaviour, however the Ath’ boys rose above the baiting and simply let the quality of their play do the talking.

It’s away again next Sunday as the U8’s join a number of the other age groups at Llantwit Major.

The Under 9s came up against a well organised physical Pontyclun side and despite coming up short never took a backward step and left it all on the pitch. The same as the previous week The Ath’s top 3 tacklers were all backs with Osian Kenny leading the tackle count followed by Mason Brown & Ethan Davies. Try scorers were Oliver Turvey, Reuben O’ Brien & Ewan Gill. Final Score 30-15 to Pontyclun. Next up for the U9s is a trip to Llantwit Major.

Bridgend Ath U'10s took a squad of 18 players to Pontyclun on the back of a strong performance against Bridgend Sports the previous week. Following a good warm up the Ath were rampant from the start, with strong running from Charley resulting in a try within the 1st minute. A turnover from the restart and quick thinking allowed the backs to quickly spread the ball wide. From the half way line, Oliver Williams pinned his ears back to beat 2 defenders to get the Aths 2nd try. Strong running by Albert and Jacob resulted in 2 more scores, Pontyclun responding with 2 late touchdowns making it 4 - 2 at the break.

 The tables turned in the second period with good counter rucking and defensive clearances resulting in Athletic mistakes. Oliver Williams ran in another try but the 2nd period ended Pontyclun 2, Ath 1. The 3rd period was the closest of all ending with 4 tries a piece. Charley and Jack both crossed the line whilst Oliver Williams bagged another 2 tries. Pontyclun also scored 4, making the final score Bridgend Ath 9, Pontyclun 8. It was another great team effort by the boys who are playing with more structure and continuity as the season unfolds.

The U11's travelled to Caldicot in confident mood but having only 12 players and no subs it was always going to be a tough ask for the boys. The team has picked up 3 new signings this last week which is an encouraging sign with Cayden and Rhydian making their debuts in this game. Injuries and absence meant some players had to play out of position, but this didn't faze the boys.

 Caldicot started the brighter and scored early, but there was no panic and the Ath quickly got back to business scoring a well worked try.  The game was then dominated by the Ath until a penalty was awarded with the ref allowing Caldicot to kick to touch and have the line out throw. It was clear from this point on that the correct rules for the under 11 pathways was not going to be followed, so the boys needed to adjust again. They took this in their stride and battled away to take the lead. Caldicot were now taking advantage of playing on a full pitch (which again was not agreed) and were able to make changes to raise the intensity. Half time finally came, and the scores were level 12-12. The second half was dominated by the Ath and the pressure was turned into another try, as we took the lead 21 - 12. With the boys battling for everything the pressure started to tell and Caldicot worked the ball wide to cross in the corner, but drop the ball, unfortunately the ref thought otherwise, and the try was awarded and converted 21-19. The next 10 minutes were difficult to watch as the boys seemed to get penalised for every effort at the break down. The ref then awarded a penalty to Caldicot even though the Ath player was clearly on his feet with the ball before any ruck had been formed, Caldicot worked the ball blind and managed to score in the corner. 24-21. There was time for one last attack and the boys threw everything at Caldicot and inched closer to the line. The backs make a great line break only to be tackled with the ref awarding a dubious penalty for holding on.  Game over 24 - 21.

 Although the boys lost on the day they played amazing and gave everything for the shirt. A very pleasing performance and another step forward on their journey to the 15 a side game.

The U13’s travelled to Llantwit Fardre with only 16 fit players and had to play a number of players in new positions.

Despite this the players that took to the field were committed and desperate to play for the badge and the Bridgend Ath name.  The first half started as a scrappy affair with both teams making plenty of mistakes and giving each other opportunities conceding penalties.  It was Llantwit Fardre that scored the first try after some good handling put their winger away out wide with the conversion missed.

Another tactical change, made behind the posts, proved a master stroke within a couple of minutes of the restart, Sam Breeze moved out wide to cover as winger. With Llantwit Fardre on the attack and looking to have spare men over, Sam read the play picking off a wide pass in the middle of the pitch and managed to outpace the defence all the way to the line. With the U13’s normal kicker out injured the subsequent conversion was missed.  The rest of the half was a mirror image of the first 10 minutes with neither side managing to stamp their authority on the game. Half time score of 5-5.

The second half the Ath started with more purpose and carried the ball on numerous occasions into the heart of the Llantwit Fadre half and after a clever chip by Alex Tidball and a good chase by Dan Clarke a penalty was given close to the line. The Ath took a quick tap and go with Dan Honeyfield crashing over from 5 meters, with the conversion missed. Score 5-10.  Llantwit Fardre got back into the game after the Ath gave away a few soft penalties and after a mix up at an Ath line out close to their own line the home team pounced and were able to pick up and dot the ball down over the line. Conversion missed meant the scores going into the last 10 minutes were 10-10. 

 With a few Ath players starting to hobble and with the team down to only 15 fit players it was good to see the U13’s putting the hard yards in and with a bit more composure, going through a couple more phases they could have crossed for the winning score. It wasn’t meant to be, and the time ran away from both sides with the ref blowing the final whistle with scores remaining at 10-10.

It was a commendable effort from all the boys with so many changes before and during the game.

 Bridgend Ath U14s were up against a very strong Burry Port team at Newbridge fields.

The Ath boys have had some mixed results lately although they have been playing the better teams in the South Wales area to improve their game.

A full-strength Burry Port side would certainly test their abilities and resolve

On a heavy pitch it was Burry Port starting strongest, taking the game to the Ath, using their powerful runners. The Ath boys did well to hold out the onslaught and things got better when their 10 got isolated, panicked and threw a pass that Sam Barraclough intercepted to run 70m to score. Back came Burry Port though, using their big full back to great effect and scoring twice to move into the lead.

They were well in the ascendency now and only fine tackling with Josh Stephens outstanding, was keeping them at bay. The attacking was relentless, and it was inevitable that something would give, and it was no surprise when Burry Port used their pack to pick and go, crossing the line to score, a move that was repeated to similar effect a few minutes later

The Ath showed great resolve to get back into the game, pressing Burry Port back into their 22, forwards working hard, to engineer a try for Captain Shea Duggan. Unfortunately, Burry Port hit back to score several more tries in the second period, to two for the Ath by their Captain with his second.  They also scored the best try of the day by scrum half Fynn Bull after excellent teamwork had taken them the length of the field, with good interplay between forwards and backs. The final score being 26-56 in favour of the visitors

It is fair to say that the Ath boys never buckled against fierce opposition, who made the most of their chances whilst the boys in green spurned several opportunities earlier on, which could have had a significant bearing on the result. It was a day for workers and tacklers and the Ath were well served by pacy Josh Stephens and Sam Barraclough, together with Shea Duggan in the backs. Big contributions in the forwards came from Keiran Saunders, Ryan Goodfellow and Charlie Paterson. On to next week now, when the Valley Ravens visit the Newbridge Fields

A local derby for the under 15's saw them head up the Llynfi Valley to play Nantyfyllon. With a quick pitch inspection, it was clear it wasn't a day for open rugby.

With the game getting under way it wasn't long before the Ath forwards were on the front foot making hard yards on a very sticky pitch. The conditions were getting the better of both sides with lots of handling errors, but it was the Ath that struck first with a drive over try from Jacob Perkins. Shortly after the restart after a poor exit from the Ath the Nantyfyllon backs went over for a converted try.

The Ath played with lots of errors spilling lots of ball in contact and unusual handling errors although both sides scored before half time with the Ath's coming from Ollie Donaghue. 

After a quick chat at halftime about tightening our game and playing to the conditions the Ath started strongly with tries coming thick and fast through Luke Florence, Ethan Scourfiled and 3 for Lochie Baron with conversions from Charlie Ashpole and Ethan Scourfiled. Final score Nantyfyllon 14 Bridgend Athletic 41