WRU CONFERENCE
PILL HARRIERS 2NDS . 7 BRIDGEND ATHLETIC 2NDS ............................. 26
FOLLOWING a minute’s silence in honour of Athletic co-founder, life member and club stalwart Clive Easterbrook, Bridgend Athletic kicked off their away WRU Conference fixture in Tredegar Park against Pill Harriers.
A 26-7 bonus-point victory for the Athletic nicely set up a Tier 2 Championship decider against Rhiwbina.
This home Athletic fixture will take place this Friday, May 4, at Newbridge Fields (ko 6.45pm).
The early stages of a very physical encounter saw the Harriers hammering at the Athletic try line for 10 minutes with a strong pick-and-go approach. Strong defence repeatedly repelled the attacks.
Eventually turnover ball allowed a clearance kick downfield well chased by wing Ryan Pickford. Quick play and accurate passing saw centre Nick Jones break clear and run in from 25 metres for the opening try of the match.
Good line out possession from lock Aled Piliner saw him combine well with prop Tom Morgan and flanker Jacob David to release fellow flanker Hywel Cosby. When Cosby was halted 10 metres short of the line hooker Lewis Down was on hand to pick up and pop the ball to David who crossed under the posts. Scott Jones’ conversion gave the Athletic a 12-0 advantage.
Patient build-up going through five phases of possession saw Liam Griffiths pass to outside half Scott Jones. Jones weaved his way through the home defence before releasing the backs. Hywel Cosby received the ball and a deft back-of-the-hand inside pass saw scrum half Joe Symons finish the move with the Athletics’ third try, converted by Jones. Alex Borley then came off the bench.
Strong running from wing Josh Seldon put the Green & Golds on the front foot. A well-orchestrated move saw centre Luke Hollyman deceive the Pill defence with a dummy run opening a gap for flanker Cosby to run through and cross for the Athletic bonus-point try. Jones’ conversion gave the Athletic a 26-0 lead.
A second Athletic yellow card on the day saw the Pill pack capitalise with a strong forward surge resulting in a converted consolation try under the posts.
In a good Athletic team effort special mention to forwards Aled Pilliner, Josh Carey, Geraint Lang and Lewis Down for good work in defence and general overall performance.