CENTRAL A
PYLE ............................. 26 NEATH ATHLETIC ........ 5
NEATH Athletic travelled to Brynglas Fields with a uncertainly that the game would go ahead, with a pitch inspection at 11am the game was on but as the hours passed and the weather became worse the referee did another pitch inspection and it was 50/50 half an hour before kick-off.
Both teams carried on with their pre-match routines and he finally gave the nod that the game would go ahead, and Pyle grabbed a bonus point win from a youthful visitors team with key players back from injury and the mist closing in it was difficult to identify the teams but the home team got on the score sheet after 20 minutes with good forward work pushing passed the visitors defence.
It was Ricky Sommers that surged over in the corner for a converted try by Will Gallafant.
Another good game by captain Rory Bodenham and some good skills with sniping runs found himself going over for a converted try by Gallafant.
The home team were playing some good rugby in the backs but the final pass just wasn’t there to perhaps get on the score sheet before half-time.
The players were glad to hear the half-time whistle under the muddy conditions, and the half-time score was 14-0.
With Pyle taking full advantage of a changed strip, it wasn’t long before they were unrecognisable due to the poor muddy conditions. It was the visitors that were putting Pyle on the back foot, but just couldn’t make the excuction to get over the try line.
With good tackling by the Pyle midfield the visitors kept pumping away, but after 25 minutes of the second half and neither side looking to score Pyle found a loose ball and galloped up field and the ball found its way to hooker Kieran Tomlin to crash over for a converted try by Gallafant.
Soon after again some great handling in the backs in was centre replacement Josh tame to go over for an unconverted try close to the corner.
A number of players stood out for Pyle including Joe Williams and Rory Bodenham.
Next fixture for Pyle is away to Pontycymer on Saturday, February 17, kick-off 2.30pm. ALTHOUGH club rugby has not been coming thick and fast since November, a lot of activity has been taking place for Maesteg Quins.
Nine players have rejoined or been attracted to sign for the club in recent weeks. LOCK forward Jamie Doherty made his 100th first team appearance against Llanharan. In all he has played 158 senior games for the Athletic.
His family have long associations with the club. Jamie’s grandparents Danny and Tessa were former steward and stewardess of the Athletic club. His father Steve played 59 senior Ath games while Steve’s four brothers John, Nick, Daniel and David also played for the Athletic. John played 264 senior games and Nick 187. John also helped coach last season’s Athletic Welsh League Champions Youth Team along with Lee Grabham.
Jamie played at U14 and U16 level for the junior section of the club before abandoning the oval ball as he sought to make his fortune with the round ball playing football for Bryntirion.
He returned to the Athletic as a 20-year-old in 2006 and after two seasons in the 2nd XV became a regular 1st team player between 20082013, before taking a fouryear break and resuming his Ath career this season.
After a few 2nd XV games he has forced his way back into the 1st XV squad. He is a strong scrummager and ball carrier and has always been good at taking the ball at restarts. He has five Ath career tries and 25 points to date.