Bonus point takes Athletic to the top

FOLLOWING an excellent mid-week 35-13 victory away at Beddau in the Welsh Youth Cup, Bridgend Athletic Youth travelled to Bryncoch for an Ospreys A league fixture. Prior to the fixture Bryncoch had won both their league fixtures against Kenfig Hill & Neath Athletic, while reining Ospreys A champions Bridgend Athletic had recorded a bonus point win against Swansea Uplands.

A 22-10 bonus point victory put the Athletic top with 10 points from 2 games, ahead of Pontarddulais 9 from 2, and Bryncoch 9 from 3.

Athletic were made to pay when they were penalised close to their try line after failing to deal with a kick into their 22. Bryncoch elected for a 5-metre scrum. They used quick front foot ball to pass into midfield where centre Jamie Walsh took the ball at pace to crash over the try line.

Close to half time flanker and captain Joe Grabham won line out ball 30 metres out and fed prop Chris Crumpton on the peel. When held Crumpton popped a pass to No 8 Will Barraclough who powered his way forward handing off three defenders before crossing for a good try. Scrum half Matthew Hobby converted to give the Athletic a 7-5 half time lead.

Coach Lee Grabham’s half time team talk emphasised for the Athletic to pick up the pace of their game. Prop Chris Crumpton set an early example of what Grabham wanted showing great aggression to drive 30 metres out of defence into the Bryncoch half. When halted the ball was spun along the backline. Centres Dan O’Sullivan and Tom Davies combined to release wing Sam Palmer on half way. He outpaced the covering defence and stepped inside the full back to cross under the posts. Hobby converted to stretch the Athletic lead to 14-5.

Athletic full back Levi Hallett gathered a high kick just outside his 22. He set off on a mazy running beating many defenders before halted 35 metres out. Bryncoch infringed and Matthew Hobby kicked the resultant penalty.

With 10 minutes remaining Bryncoch launched a counter attack along the touchline leading to a corner try for Josh Harris to reduce his side’s deficit to 17-10. When awarded a penalty inside their own 22 the Athletic continued their risky exit strategy with scrum half Matthew Hobby taking a quick tap penalty. Slick passing by Joe Grabham and Harry Ridge released wing Sam Palmer 60 metres out. Palmer had been a thorn in the home side’s defence all game and he pinned back his ears and outsprinted would be tacklers to cross wide out. This opened a 22-10 Athletic lead. The Athletic closed out the game to secure a winning bonus point to move top of the league.

Head Coach Lee Grabham said “It was pleasing to get a second half response from his side following a sluggish error strewn first half.”