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Bridgend Sports Under Sixteens Tour – 2018 Ghent Easter Rugby Tournament.

Bridgend Sports Under Sixteens are a squad who have defied the odds over the last two seasons. Many would have written their chances of survival off when they started the 2016/17 season with eight players. Today they have a squad of some twenty-five players with a great heart and team spirit. Their recent tour to Belgium was certainly well earned and showed what can be achieved with the will power, organisation and support.

Last week the squad travelled to Belgium to play in the 2018 Ghent Easter Rugby festival. They set off, together with mascot Shaun, from the Brewery Field, Bridgend in the early hours of Friday morning for the Dover to Calais crossing and after a hectic two days of some intensive “sightseeing” and team bonding that included a Hawaiian night, they set off for the festival early on Sunday morning, a little weary but nevertheless enthusiastic.

The Sports were drawn in a pool of 4 teams. They played Hove, Handsworth and Porthcawl on a 3G pitch. The tournament format was intense, with little scope for error as games were played with ten -minute halves. This left little time for any side to settle into a rhythm. Sides therefore had to hit the ground running and with the weather dry, the Sports youngsters were up for it.

They played Hove RFC in the first game and exploded into action with some great handling from the whistle. Scoring early, they kept the pressure up and scored 4 tries through from Kyle Bruton, Dylan Pritchard and Deacon Coles (2) and put up a resolute defence to finish 20 – 0 winners.

Next up was another English side from Handsworth. The Sports carried on where they left off in the first game by hitting the opposition hard early and then they played some sublime rugby with great handling moves and support running. The Blue and Whites ran in 5 tries through Kyle Bruton from their own 22, Ethan Bevan, Kai Lewis and another brace from Deacon Coles. Kieran Richards added two conversions to finish the game with a resounding twenty-nine points to nil victory to sit top of their pool.

It was local side Porthcawl next. A local welsh derby, 369 miles from home, played in Belgium to decide the pool winners! Both sides having won two from two games. Both teams were up for it and no quarter was given. It was close, but the Sports ran out 7- 5 victors in an extremely close game.   Deacon Coles scored again. Kieran Richards added the conversion.  The Sports emerged as pool winners to take a well-earned refreshment break ahead of a semi-final against Billericay Bees R.F.C. from Essex.

Somewhat disappointed, the Sports learned of some unfortunate news. The tournament was over running, and all semi-finals had to be played as one 10-minute half. To compound matters they also lost the toss. The Bees kicked off, took a clean catch but a big chase resulted in the Sports playing in their own 22. Following several phases of ruck and maul the Sports knocked on. The Bees secured possession form the scrum out wide near the touch line, they burst down a very narrow blindside to touch down in the corner, the conversion failed but the Sports were 5- 0 down.

With only six minutes remaining, a massive effort from all the Sports team saw the remainder of the game played in the Bees 22, the Sports Under sixteens retained possession to mount wave after wave of attacks but to no avail. It was valiant effort. The Sports then moved into a plate final against Porthcawl who had just lost heavily in their semi-final to Rhymney from Cardiff.

The final was played on the Main A pitch in front of the large crowd of spectators and sponsors.

It started tense as both sides were evenly matched as evidenced in the pool game. A typical derby with both sides knowing each other well.

It proved to be a nip and tuck affair early on, but the Sports secured a turnover in their own 22, Kyle Bruton at full back, broke away down the wing, accelerated to beat 3 defenders and score under the posts. Kieran Richards added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

The final minutes were all about mind-set, discipline and attitude. The Sports kept possession, worked through the phases and gave away no penalties. Their defence was immense throughout the second half to shut Porthcawl out and secure the plate to round off a great tour by receiving the Gent Easter Rugby 2018 Plate Trophy at the presentation ceremony.

Bridgend Sports RFC would like to extend their gratitude to the coaching team who have worked so hard through a tough season – Lee Roderick, Adam “Booney” Boone, Andrew “Edda” Jones, Evans and Gareth “Badger” Edwards. Also, to Steve Duffill for organising the tour and all the back-room staff and parents that made it possible. They would also like extend a huge thank you to the following tour sponsors for their kind support:

T J Services, S Wood Products, G&C Electrical Ltd, Tyrewise, Daniel Matthew Estate Agents, Phil's News and Café, The Haywain.

Both on and off the field the Bridgend Sports Under Sixteens were a credit to their club, Bridgend and Wales.

Bridgend Sports Under Sixteens Touring Squad: Dylan Pritchard (Capt.), Marshall Williams, Evan Jones, Kai Lewis, Lewis Edwards, Kian Squire, Dan Roderick, Ethan Bevan, Iestyn Rees, Ryan Mordecai, Rhys Loveluck, Deacon Coles, Kyle Bruton, Elliott Bebb, Josh Roberts, Garyn Edwards, Fin Duffill, Kieran Richards.

CR