Fixture

BRIDGEND SPORTS  UNDER 9’S   3  V  BRIDGEND ATHLETIC UNDER 9’S   3

In their final game of 2014, Bridgend Sports Under 9’s welcomed their neighbours for another of the Christmas derbies!  This was a game that proved to be a complete contrast to the away fixture played a month ago when the Sports were well beaten. The Sports were well below par on that occasion, having scaled Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, the day before.

On Sunday, in a game that was played in wet and muddy conditions, both sides abandoned the thought of any Christmas cheer, it was more about the competitive spirit of the closest of derbies.  Bridgend Sports started the game and were soon to show their opponents that this game was going to be different.  An early attack saw the Sports move the ball with Dylan Morgan, Joel Rogers and Thomas Coles passing the ball to set Dewi Worrall on a charge. He off loaded to Dylan Morgan who had popped up again in support and give a  final pass that allowed the ever skilful Joel Rogers the space for him to elude the remaining defender to score.

The Athletic responded by trying to move the ball wide only to be bundled into touch with an excellent tackle from Sports player Callum Lewis. Bridgend Sports attacked again with further straight running and good support play from Dylan Morgan, Thomas Coles, Dewi Worrall and Joel Rogers, only for the final pass to Alex Stimpson to be ruled forward, ten metres out.

From the scrum, Bridgend Athletic retained the ball for a period by opting to keep the ball close, eventually working their way up field. The Sports constantly tackled but the pressure eventually led to a try for the first period to end with the scores level at 1 – 1.

In the second period, the challenging conditions dictated that short passes and driving play would prove to be the order of the day,   with the occasional ball moved along the line.  The Athletic scored first and the Sports hit back immediately , Dylan Morgan made a break , linked with Thomas Coles then Jodi Keane and Joel Rogers , he passed  on to Tyron Davies who changed the angle to cut back inside to score.

The two teams were now extra sharp in defence and frequently thwarted attacks with a concerted, organised effort to close down any attack from any restart.  Right at the end of the second period, the Athletic scored to edge the game 2 -3 going into the final and third period.

With some supporters getting excited, the players concentrated efforts on the field of play. The Sports started with Mackenzie Dent setting off on a straight run, he passed to Callum Lewis who linked with Dylan Morgan who found support from Mason Balmer and Dewi Worrall. Dylan Morgan was on hand again to feed Mackenzie Dent who made no mistake in scoring the try that celebrated his return to the side and for his team to level the scores.  The Athletic tried to hit back but were thwarted with excellent tackles from Joel Rogers and Callum Lewis.    

The rain was now as relentless as the tackling. The game entered the final minutes with the score level at 3 -3. The Sports now concentrated their efforts on ball retention which frustrated their opponents and allowed the Sports to keep the pressure on the Athletic, but they just could not find that final score and the game ended in a draw. Both sides shared the spoils on a fitting end to 2014 as the festive period commences.

The whole Bridgend Sports Under  9’s squad had displayed outstanding courage and commitment in atrocious conditions . It was a demonstration of their excellent team spirit, attitude and enjoyment of the sport, which the young players can take forward into 2015. It is a credit to the coaching team of Justin Hostettler Davies and Craig Balmer who have and continue to work hard to develop young players in a fun, challenging way. New players are always welcome , the squad trains every Wednesday at 6 p.m. On the Bandstand field.   

Match Day Squad: Alex Stimpson, Callum Lewis, Dylan Morgan, Ieuan Pilliner, Jodi Keane, Joel Rogers, Mackenzie Dent, Mason Balmer, Morgan Edwards, Thomas Chick, Thomas Coles, Tyron Davies, Dewi Worrall.