OSPREYS A LEAGUE
BRIDGEND ATHLETIC YOUTH ......................... 41 KENFIG HILL YOUTH ... 6
BRIDGEND Ath Youth started a season-defining week in their quest to retain their OA league title which involves winning three league games in seven days.
Saturday saw them achieve the first step when home to Kenfig Hill they got off to a great start notching up six tries in a seasonal double 41-6 win.
The Mules opened the scoring when they were awarded a penalty after good play. The first try was scored when Athletic full back Cameron Lewis made a half break taking out two defenders before slipping the ball to flanker Tom Davies to cross wide out. The Athletic had plenty of possession but the final pass often failed to go to hand. This changed with a superb move started deep in their half by outside half Morgan Roberts who ran out of defence before releasing centre Joe Patterson on the burst. Patterson found himself in the clear and calmly drew in the Kenfig Hill full back to put wing Sam Owen in to score under the posts. Matthew Hobby converted.
The Athletic continued to run the ball at every opportunity aiming to move the larger Mules pack around the field. Another scoring opportunity saw Roberts use good feet to put captain for the day Patterson over near the posts. Hobby converted. The last five minutes of the half belonged to Kenfig Hill who ran several good plays only to be kept out by solid defence. They were awarded their sec- ond kickable penalty after which the ref blew for half-time with the Athletic leading 19-6.
In the second half Bridgend Athletic continued to run the ball wide to try and build on their lead. They were rewarded when from a quick tap penalty, the ball was moved right to Tom Davies to cross for his second try of the match. Kenfig Hill had a lot more possession second half and were camped near the Athletic line on numerous occasions. Credit to the Athletic defence which was well organised with each player putting in a big shift. Hobby then kicked an Athletic penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking. The Athletic tactics later in the match was to counter attack quickly when the Mules attack made mistakes. This allowed strong running No 8 Will Barraclough to find open spaces to use his speed and strength. He ran two second-half tries to complete the Ath’s excellent performance against a good organised team. Hobby and Roberts converted one try apiece.
Athletic Youth head coach Lee Grabham said: “Kenfig Hill never gave up and the scoreline doesn’t reflect the effort put in from the away team. The Athletic’s finishing on the day was just too good. We have achieved step one out of three and the players can rest up for a couple of days before they face Pencoed at the Morganstone Brewery Field on Wednesday, April 25 at 7pm, followed by Nantyfyllon away on Saturday, April 28.
“The team would appreciate Athletic supporters to turn out in force to urge their team across the line in defence of their Ospreys A League title.”