Pre Season Friendlies
St Albans 14 Sports 17
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Nantymoel 0 Sports 0
Sea View RFC 3 Sports 48
A very pleasing pre-season campaign for the squad, looking for a good first season in Division 4.
2010 Collage for Sale
Collage of the best pics from last season. £10 - A4 & £20 - A3 Available from http://www.paulhartphotography.co.uk/gallery_359756.html
Club's Canadian links grow
Our new-found Canadian links will be deepened on the 28th of August with the visit of Colin Watson from Toronto. Colin is a very well-respected rugby photographer in the Toronto area, and has photographed Canadian Rugby at International level. Colin will be joining regular photographer Paul Hart in photographing the pre-season game at St.Albans RFC, Paul says "I know Colin through sharing our photos on Facebook, we admire each others work, and i'm flattered that he's making the time to come and see us on his tour of the UK, I'm sure the boys will show him a good time in the true sports club tradition."
The club are pleased to report that popular players Nathan Townley and Mitch John are having a great time in Canada, each picking up hat-tricks and Man-of-the-Match awards for the Lloydminster Reapers Rugby Club.
Club Dinner
Heronston Hotel on Friday 8th October. 1pm
There will be tables of 10. The cost is £25pp. And anyone wanting to go
should contact Alun Austin OR any committee member or find out who has a
table booked and get on their table. There is a max of 12/13 tables
and its first come first served.
Training
Mon & Thurs evenings 6.30pm Bandstand Field
Presentation Night
Winners:-
Clubman of the Year :- Steve Rees
1st XV Player of the Year :- Gary Punter
1st XV Players Player of the Year :- Ryan Wallis
1st XV Most Improved :- Steve Hearne
2nd XV Player of the Year :- Steve Hearne
2nd XV Players Player of the Year :- Steve Hearne
2nd XV Most Improved :- Ian John
Sat 15th May
Silver Ball Semi Final (played at Llanharan) League Game
Sports 15 Tondu 36
Ogmore Vale 22 Sports 10
Weds 12th May
Sports 32 Wattstown 15
The Sports had secured promotion in their last game against Hirwaun and this was very much a match about pride. After a very tight game back in October both sides had a point to prove today. The Sports looked to defend their 3 year home record in the league and Wattstown would dearly like the scalp of the league champions to claim the ‘double’ over the promotion team.
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Sat 8th May
Sports 110 Hirwaun 7
The Sports Club started this game needing a win and a bonus point for scoring 4 tries in order to win the league. By the end of the afternoon they had scored 16 tries and Matthew Murphy had converted 15 of them as well as scoring two tries. Taking his tally for the afternoon to 40 points. It was a stunning Sports performance once they had settled early nerves. Jamie Lorimer claimed the first one when he supported Murphy and scored under the posts. Tries came quickly and Chris Morgan sniped the next one down the blind side of a ruck and Murphy missed the conversion. It would be his only miss of the afternoon. 2nds lose 24-29 vs Nantyfyllon XV
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Weds 5th May
Cwmgwrach 18 Sports 39
The Sports looked somewhat edgy in this game and perhaps were feeling the pressure of playing two games a week for the last two weeks to reduce the backlog of fixtures. The initial pressure came from Cwmgwrach as their big forwards looked to test the smaller Sports pack. They gained two quite kickable penalties but fly half Ryan Parry was off form. The first real Sports attack came when a high ball hoisted by Matthew Murphy and quickly followed up by Michael ‘Mitch’ John who passed inside to Keith Burke who was high tackled two yards out and the referee awarded a penalty try that Murphy converted.
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Sat 1st May
Sports 84 Ogmore Vale 3
A struggling Ogmore Vale were the visitors to the Bandstand on a pleasantly dry afternoon. And the faithful home spectators were not disappointed as Sports run riot in a 12 try blitz. From the kick-off, it was evident that the Sports were looking to attack at every opportunity and Scott Narbeth crashed over in the first 5 mins for the games opening try, signs were ominous for the visitors. Next game - Weds 5th May vs Cwmgwrach (A)
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Weds 28th April
Sports 59 Cefn Cribbwr 0
The early pressure came from Cefn in this end of season as the visitors looked ready to run at the Sports. Matthew Murphy at outside half was looking to loop with Roddy Boobyer and the pair were dangerous. From a Sports attack, Cefn turned over the possession and ran themselves to the Sports 22. Good defence by Michael ‘Mitch’ John and Ritchie Byrne contained the ‘Riders’. After 10 minutes Cefn conceded a penalty and Murphy opened the score at 3-0.
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Sat 24th April
Porthcawl 2nds 6 v Sports 2nds 20
A beautiful sunny day at South Road - the venue for this local derby friendly.
Porthcawl started much the brighter side with their youthful pack dominating the set piece marshalled by ex-Sports stalwart Nick Jones at scrum-half. The seaweeds were comfortably winning the scrummage area and this forced the Sports onto the back foot. Early indiscipline at the breakdown handed young outside-half Joe Gallafant with an easy 3 point penalty. Baglan 7 Sports 55
For the first ten minutes both sides looked quite well matched and the kicking exchanges were even. Baglan looked to run the ball and were encouraged by some good home support. Ritchie Byrne, on the right wing crafted an outside break after halfbacks Chris Morgan and Matthew Murphy had ‘bought’ some space with fast passing. He was judged to have touched the corner flag as he dived over and Baglan were let off the hook.
Sports 33 Bryncethin 28
This game has been eagerly awaited by both sets of supporters and a good crowd at the Bandstand field were not to be disappointed. Both sides very capable of playing open attractive rugby. Bridgend Sports came out firing on all cylinders and looked dangerous every time they kept the ball in hand. Bryncethin started a little nervously kicking away most of their possession, trying to get control of field position. Penalties were exchanged which gave the Sports a 6 - 3 lead. Sports 2nds 27 Nantyfyllon 13
Sports 48 Trebanos 0 (Silver Ball Quarter-final)
The early exchanges in this game at Aberavon Quins saw both sides kicking for field position, but it was the Sports who looked to handle the ball and use the full width of the pitch.From an untidy lineout tap back by Trebanos, Sports flanker Rhys Dowling was very quickly on the ball and causing panic in the defence. A quick ball to Ritchie Byrne allowed the winger to show his pace deep into the Trebanos half. From the next phase Matthew Murphy, at fly half, produced some silky skills to side step 3 or 4 Trebanos players and score under the posts. His conversion making the initial score 0-7.
Sports 45 Rhigos 3 (match abandoned at half time)
Rhigos were late arriving at the Bandstand field on Saturday and had a bare team of 15 with no substitutes. There were passive scrums from the outset as they were without a full compliment of specialist front row forwards. From the kick off the Sports forwards were quick to the breakdown and prop forward, Tudor Harris ripped the ball from the maul and tore away towards the wing where Rhys Dowling was hovering, the wing forward ran in a good try and with less than 5 minutes gone the Sports were 5 points ahead. Matthew Murphy just missing from wide out. From the re-start Rhigos drove well to the Sports 22 and were awarded a penalty that Nathan Davies converted easily.
SW Police 5 Sports 72 Sports were in fine running form and considering the heavy conditions their handling was excellent. From the kick off the Sports looked sharp and took a quick line out, winger Scott Narbeth made good ground before Neil Boobyer chipped ahead for brother Roddy to collect and score. Minutes later from the re-start it was the third Booyer, Ian, who burst through the fragile Police defence and scored under the posts. Michael ‘Mitch’ John converting to make it 0-12 after just 10 minutes. Neil and Roddy were combining well and when full back Josh Davies joined the line, it was second nature for Roddy to pop the ball inside for him to score his first try for the club. Mitch adding the points. The Sports continued the pressure with scrum half Chris Morgan feeding quick ball at every opportunity. Presentation Night - Sat June 12th (Time to be confirmed)
I'm climbing Kilimanjaro for Velindre Cancer Centre. Please support me and donate. Click below: Swalec Bowl Quarter-Finals - Sports 9 Abercarn 13 The early pressure in this Cup game came from the visitors. The Sports had elected to play against the strong wind and Abercarn made good use of it making deep probing kicks to get field position. There was good defence and ball handling from Sports full back Simon Partridge and he did not make a mistake under a succession of high balls in the swirling wind. The defence from the back row of Gary Punter, Keith Burke and Ian Boobyer was again outstanding with Ryan Wallis at hooker acting and tackling as a fourth back row forward. For 20 minutes the Abercarn side threw everything at the Sports and were denied time and time again. In the end they had to settle for a drop goal by outside half Gethin Patterson. Cwmgwrach v Sports - match postponed.
District Cup Semi-Finals Rhigos 3 Sports 18
Swalec Bowl 5th Round - Sports 18 Cardiff Uni 14 Bryncoch 26 Sports 2nds 13
Blaengraw 0 Sports 90 Sports 2nds 7 Taibach 5 Sports 11 Porth 5 - Swalec Bowl.
Sports 2nds 25 Brackla 15 - District League. Cefn Coed 0 Sports 48 Sports 2nd XV 10 Pencoed 11 - District Cup Sports 31 SW Police 8
In quite bad windy, wet conditions, the Sports elected to play against these elements at the Bandstand field. Sporting their new ‘Pink’ strip, the Police flagged their support of Marie Curie cancer trust. It was obvious that the wind would not drop, but could easily strengthen. Which it did. There was a lots of early Sports pressure, well defended by the visitors, who had performed so well last week against Wattstown. The Sports kept the ball in hand for most of the initial encounters, with the wind making kicking difficult.
Sully 10 Sports 2nds 21
Tries from Ian John, Phil John and Nathan Townley secure win in atrocious conditions on the coast.
Rhigos 10 Sports 20 - Swalec Bowl Sports 2nds 20 Tondu 2nds 24
Cefn Cribbwr 0 Sports 40 Maesteg Celtic 0 Sports 2nds 34 Sports 59 Cwmgwrach 15 Brackla 6 Sports 2nds 16
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Weds 21st April
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Sat 17th April
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Weds 14th April
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Sat 10th April
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Current League Table
Teams
P
W
D
L
Pts
Bridgend Sports
18
16
0
2
81
Bryncethin
20
15
0
5
74
Wattstown
18
15
0
3
70
Cwmgwrach
18
13
0
5
57
Baglan
18
11
1
6
55
Hirwaun
20
9
0
10
47
Rhigos
19
9
1
9
44
South Wales Police
19
6
0
13
26
Cefn Cribbwr
20
3
0
14
25
Ogmore Vale
19
3
0
16
15
Blaengarw
17
1
0
16
1
Banwen
0
0
0
0
0
Sat 3rd April
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Sat 27th March
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Sat 6th March
Sports 10 Bridgend Ath 30
This was the first meeting of these two clubs for at least 20 years and there was a large crown at the Bandstand field to see what turned out to be a fine game. The early pressure was from the Sports but the Athletic’s defence was resolute. From broken play deep in the Athletic’s half there was some good short ball play from the visitors and some missed tackles from the Sports that allowed fly half Tom Cole to straighten up his attack and ‘new boy’, Lloyd Pemberton crashed through the centres to continue his impressive try scoring record. Cole adding the points. The Sports then took advantage of an Athletic mistake after some good home team pressure and Nathan Townley struck a good penalty making the score 3-7.
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Sat 27th Febuary
Bridgend Sports travelled to Rhigos for the second time this season, having won an early cup match during November. The conditions were very similar but this time the visitors were better prepared to deal with the large home team pack and heavy pitch conditions. Early pressure came from the Sports with the back row combination of Gary Punter, Ian Boobyer and Keith Burke driving forward and picking up where they left off last week. A handling error on in the mud allowed the Sports through Nathan Townley to take the lead with a well struck penalty. The Sports continued to apply pressure in the tight scrum with Ryan Wallace back at hooker and the ever stable Jo Bryant and Rhys Brewer either side of him as props taking on their heavier opponents.
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Sat 20th Febuary
The early pressure in this Cup fixture came from the home side, who although without a few regular 1st teamers looked to be settled and set up some good quick ball from set pieces. After 10 minutes this pressure paid off when a movement to Ritchie Byrne on the right wing was well supported on the inside by full back Nathan Townley who dived over for the first try. His kick just failed. Ian Boobyer at wing forward was playing well and it was he who started the second try when he picked up a loose ball at the base of the Cardiff scrum and run 10 yards to set up a ruck, quick ball from Rhys Dowling was smoothly taken by Roddy Boobyer who scored under the posts.
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Sat 30th January
The Sports scored on average a point every 54 seconds in this league game on Saturday against an under-strength Garw side.
The Garw were struggling for players and to their credit put a team out on the field which was a mixture of young and old. Their tactics were quite clear
from the start and were to try to disrupt any ball that the Sports won at the breakdown, with the midfield coming up very quickly to cut down the space
for the Sports high quality backs.
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Match abandoned after 25mins due to serious injury to Sports prop forward Greg Thomas, who suffered double fracture to leg.
Sat 23rd January
Scott Narbeth's try was enough as the Sports battle through to the next round of the competition.
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Steve Hearne and Keith Ellingham tries help the Sports complete the league double over their local rivals.
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Sat 12th December
Match report to follow.......
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Sat 14th November
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Sat 31st October
On a heavy pitch, the Sports had the majority of early possession but in an effort to secure field position, kicked away this possession and did it rather badly. When the foraging efforts of Keith Burke and Rhys Dowling turned over Rhigos ruck ball in the Sports half it was Jamie Lorrimer who burst through the Rhigos initial line of defence and rounded the cover to score a fine individual try under the posts that Matthew Murphy converted.
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Sat 24th October
On a windy afternoon in Cefn, the Sports elected to play with the elements and soon forced Cefn into mistakes which were rewarded when Matthew Murphy popped over an easy penalty. Murphy was picking up where he left off last week and following continued Sports pressure his next penalty for Cefn ‘handling in the ruck’ was far from easy but he used the wind well kicking it from the halfway line. A further infringement from Cefn allowed Murphy to push the score to 0-9 after 20 minutes. The new second row pairing of Will Slade and Justin Davies performing well with Gary Punter making his mark on the game very early. Cefn did not seem to have an answer to the driving game of the Sports and with scrum half, Chris Morgan always at their heels and ready to quickly widen the attack and it was Ian Boobyer who linked well to drive over for the first try again converted by Murphy.
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Another comfortable league victory for the 2nds with returning Phil John scoring two tries. Other try scorers were Gareth Taylor, Keith Ellingham and man of the match Simon Partridge.
Sat 17th October
Cwmgwrach came to the Bandstand field, unbeaten this season and knowing they had finished last season second in the division and the Sports third. However, this was to be no close encounter. The Sports ran in nine tries with Matthew Murphy converting seven. The first try came after five minutes when Roddy Boobyer switched the play and widened the attack to find second row, Jamie Lorrimer in support which Murphy converted from the touchline. From the re-start the Sports continued to attack the visitors and Michael, Mitch John saw an opening and simply ran through the centres. With the kick just failing the score was 12-0 in as many minutes.
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Tries from Pete Roberts & Ian Hearne seal tense local derby.
