Fixture

BRIDGEND SPORTS UNDER 9’s 4 BRIDGEND ATHLETIC UNDER 9’s 2

In the third derby of the season between the closest of rivals, it was the Sports who claimed the bragging rights and deservedly so for a team performance full of discipline and determination. The two previous games between the sides had ended with one victory for the Athletic and one draw. This result levelled the series of matches and showed how much the young Sports squad has developed over the season to date, especially when consideration is given to the fact that a number of players were absent through injury or illness on the day.

The Athletic won the toss and started the game with a  run from deep at the Sports defence,  the attack was quickly brought to a halt by the well organised defence of the Sports. A loose pass was snapped up by Tyron Davies and the ball was soon worked quickly up field, with all Sports players supporting and passing for Joel Rogers to break the Athletic defence to claim the first score of the game.

In a typical local derby , defence dominated for a period, as play edged to and fro before Bridgend Athletic’s Tristan James unlocked the scoreboard, as he raced across field and down the touch line to bring the scores level at 1 try a piece. 

Determined not to be out scored Bridgend Sports hit back after a run  from Dewi Worrall, he passed to Joel Rogers who jinxed and  outsmarted the defence to create space and provide  the final pass to Iestyn John who scored near the corner for the Sports to take a 2 – 1 half time lead.

In the second half, the Athletic levelled early as Tristan James showed his pace down the wing again to score. It is a mark of a good side in how it is able to respond to any setback. The young  Sports side responded immediately as Tyron Davies cut his way through the Ath’s line, for his team  to regain the lead.

The young Blue and Whites then really stepped up their game and showed excellent team spirit as they worked together to thwart every Bridgend Athletic attack . Ben King put in the outstanding tackle of the day, as he put his body on the line five metres from his own line to deny the Athletic a certain score and secure important ball. The Sports players then combined well as Dewi Worrall, Cian John,  Alex Stimpson and Tyron Davies took play up into the Athletic half and then sent Mackenzie Dent on a powerful charge that almost led to a further score.

The Athletic then forced the Sports back into their own half, but further Sports attacks ensued as  Ben King , Dewi Worrall , Rhys Wilson, Tyron Davies, Thomas Coles and Mackenzie Dent all made good ground with some direct running, before the ball was worked along the line for Cian John to show his opponents a clean pair of heels to score a deserved try out wide, for the home side to lead 4 – 2.

Bridgend Athletic tried to hit back but were kept at bay by determined tackling from Callum Lewis, Dewi Worrall , Ben King, Alex Stimpson , Thomas Coles and the ever  present Tyron Davies for the home team.  In the final minutes of the game, the Sports attacked following a good break from Joel Rogers and then a couple of close range runs from Rhys Wilson and Ieuan Pilliner. Despite a great effort , no further scores followed and the Sports deservedly claimed the spoils this time with a 4 – 2 win. It  was a just reward for their teamwork and hard work in tackling the opposition  to secure possession and then retain it, to deny their opponents the ball.

Match Day Squad :  Alex Stimpson,  Ben King, Callum Lewis, Cian John, Dewi Worrall, Iestyn John, Ieuan Pilliner, Jodi Keane, Joel Rogers, Mackenzie Dent, Rhys Wilson, Thomas Coles, Tyron Davies