Having successfully retained their Ospreys A league crown, the Bridgend side duly saw off Scarlets regional champions Crymych 33-19 in Carmarthen to make it back-to-back finals. If they can hold onto their title it would be the perfect tribute to Bridgend Athletic co-founder Clive Easterbrook, who died earlier this month and was laid to rest this week.
Leading the charge for the champions will be No 8 Will Barraclough, who helped himself to a hat-trick of tries in the semi-final win over Crymych to make it 19 in 18 Youth matches this season. He has also scored for the 1st XV this season.
Pontypridd finished second in Cardiff Blues A Division behind Rumney, who shared the National Youth Cup with Treorchy. Rumney were unable to participate due to an end of season tour and so missed out on the chance of taking their revenge on Bridgend Athletic, who beat them in last season’s final. Pontypridd had to overcome a powerful Nant Conwy side 15-7 in Llanidloes in the semi-finals.
“It was an excellent team performance in the semi-finals and I was extremely happy with the attitude, skill and commitment shown by the boys on the day. They put in a huge shift to beat a very strong Crymych side,” said Bridgend Athletic head coach Lee Grabham.
“We know Pontypridd’s considerable strengths and nothing short of a similar match attitude and commitment will see us retain our National League Champions title at Rodney Parade.”
TEAMS
Bridgend Athletic: Levi Hallett; Sam Palmer, Caine Woolerton, Joe Patterson, Nathan Willis; Morgan Roberts, Matthew Hobby; Chris Crumpton, Thomas Zielinski, Morgan Clemett, Jac Bassett, Owain Leyshon, Tom Davies, Joe Grabham (captain), Will Barraclough
Reps: Callum Swinford, Jack Obbard, Danny Osarigie, Sion Vigus, Cameron Lewis, Josh Tidy, Sam Owen
Pontypridd: Dafydd Lloyd; Shaun Webber, Ioan Evans, Rhodri Smith (captain), Ethan Fackrell; Bailey Roberts, Carl Blacker; Ioan Evans, Anuerin James, Matthew Iles, Keilan Mahoney, Ieuan Davies, Dewi Thomas, Callun James, Dafydd Smith
Reps: Lloyd Dennett, Will Holmes, Cameron, Macmillan, Will Pugh, Ieuan Frankland, Iwan
Trick-Edwards, Josh Ashcroft
The final will be the showpiece event of a two-day rugby festival at Rodney Parade as the Dragons continue to impress on the community rugby front. The action will kick-off with a WRU National League Division 3 East B clash between Brynithel and Markham at 11.00 am.
Next up is the Reg Buttress Shield semi-final between Usk and Abersychan at 3.00pm. The prize for the winners is a place in the final next week at Pontypool Utd RFC against West Mon.
This is followed by the Principality Youth Leagues Play-off Final between Bridgend Athletic and Pontypridd, which kicks-off at 7.00 pm. Entry to all three fixtures is free.
For the first time Dragons offered every club in the region the chance to play any outstanding fixtures they had at Rodney Parade, free of charge, to ease fixture congestion and potential backlogs after the season was extended by a week following bad weather earlier in the year.
Sunday’s schedule is even more varied with the famous ground playing host to a girls’ cluster rugby festival across the main pitch and training pitch in the morning, as well as a X7 Rugby tournament starting at 12 noon along with a community touch rugby 7s competition, including a WRU Select, the Dragons Homeless Team and SOHK Puffins Homeless Team.
X Rugby 7s or Cross-field Sevens is an innovative new form of the game. With Sevens played on the same size pitch as the full fifteen-a-side game, X7 Rugby gives more players regardless of fitness the chance to play the game on a smaller pitch. This new format is designed to bring players from youth rugby through to the club’s senior ranks, as well as re-integrating players who have dropped out of playing rugby to give as many players as possible the chance to be involved in the game.
“This will be the first X7s club competition in Wales, after piloting the concept in universities and World Rugby are encouraging nations to trial the format,” said Adrian Evans, WRU Regional Rugby Manager for the Dragons region.
“The Dragons are actively engaging with their region at all levels, and this weekend’s festival of rugby with representatives from a whole host of clubs from across the region enjoying the chance to play at the home of the Dragons reflects that, it’s hugely exciting.”
Rugby followers are welcome to come down to Rodney Parade to support the fixtures and activities.
Match Schedule
Saturday, 19 May
Brynithel v Markham – WRU National League 3 East B (11.00 am)
Usk v Abersychan – Reg Buttress Shield Semi-final (3.00 pm)
Bridgend Athletic v Pontypridd – Principality Youth Leagues Play-off Final (7.00 pm)
Sunday, 20 May
Girls rugby cluster festival (9.00 am)
X7 Rugby tournament (from 12 noon)
Touch Rugby 7s competition (from 12 noon )
