WEST CENTRAL

TREBANOS .................. 25 BRIDGEND ATHLETIC 16

THIRD-PLACED Bridgend Athletic took on fourth-placed Trebanos in the first senior fixture between these clubs.

A three-try blitz in a five-minute period on the half-hour by Trebanos yielded 19 points which proved too much for a valiant Athletic second half display.

The opening 10 minutes saw both sides concede numerous penalties which resulted in Athletic full back Stuart Floyd Ellis and his counterpart Luke Richards kicking two apiece. The first Trebanos try came when the Athletic chipped ahead inside the home side’s 22. Trebanos gathered and launched a counter attack. A missed Athletic tackle saw Trebanos break away and a combined handling move at speed saw flanker Rhodri Williams cross for the opening try which Richards converted. The Athletic kicked the restart long where another missed tackle saw a virtual carbon copy move result in a try for centre Stefan Lewis again converted by Richards. Within two minutes another free-flowing move saw scrum half Nathan Jones cross wide out for a 25-6 lead at half-time.

With changes, it was the Athletic who now held sway at the set scrums forcing Trebanos to concede penalties. From a 10 metre lineout, Chris John secured possession and a well-controlled drive saw hooker Nathan Holman driven over the line. This tactic was repeated 10 minutes later with the same outcome as Holman claimed his second try to reduce the deficit to 2516. With seven minutes remaining, the Athletic were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Needing two scores to win, the coaches were urging the side to go for goal and at least secure a bonus point with the momentum to go on and win.

On the park the team elected to kick to the corner and try their hand at a third driving maul try. Unfortunately this tactic backfired and the move broke down.

The Athletic were penalised and Trebanos cleared their line. The Athletic failed to mount another effective challenge and came away empty handed.

Both sets of supporters look forward to the return fixture on April 22 and hope for another high octane competitive game.

The Athletic play a rearranged game at Aberavon Quins this Friday before entertaining Ystalyfera on March 4.