WEST CENTRAL
BRIDGEND ATHLETIC 35 YSTALYFERA ................ 3
BRIDGEND Athletic got back on track with their third double of the season.
Their bonus point victory followed an earlier 31-15 bonus point against the same opponents.
On a wet and muddy surface, the game was mainly a battle at forward. Ystalyfera drew first blood in the second minute when a collapsed scrum resulted in a penalty for outside half Gareth James. The Athletic responded with a driving lineout from the visitors 22 which resulted in hooker Lee Murphy’s first try of the season. Outside half Luke Bevan converted.
Matt Muir and Griff Davies carried well into the visitors 22. No 8 Stuart Edbrook picked up from a set scrum and got his fourth try of the season, which Bevan also converted. Another Athletic driving lineout saw scrum half Dan James spot a gap to race over from 10 metres unopposed. Bevan’s third conversion saw his side lead 21-3 at half time.
Turnover ball saw replacement hooker Nathan Holman feed scrum half Dan James who broke the first line of defence to pin back his ears and race 75 metres for an excellent solo try.
This bonus point try was the youngster’s sixth of the season in only nine appearances. Bevan again added the extras.
The back row trio of No 8 Stuart Edbrook, and flankers Ben Howe and Chris John had made a number of big hits throughout the game. They combined to release Chris John on the Fera 22. He ran through a few defenders to cross for a try. Bevan kept up his 100 per cent record with his fifth conversion to cap an excellent overall performance.
Team Manager Paul Hearne commented “It was a very good bonus point win. Ystalafera made us work hard for all the points.
“This puts us back in a good position to challenge for top spot in the league. We have some challenging fixtures coming up but we have to be confident going forward.”
The Athletic are away at Seven Sisters this Saturday before playing a rearranged fixture against Ammanford on March 17th at the Bridgendford Brewery Field kick off 7.15pm.