Bridgend Athletic Bid To Defend Title Against Pontypridd

Bridgend Athletic are looking to hold onto their Principality National Youth League title this weekend (Saturday) as they take on Pontypridd at Rodney Parade (7.00pm).

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 1^st 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.

Biggest game of the season Saturday! National cup final💚💛 @bridgendathrfc

— Levi hallett (@LeviHallett1) May 13, 2018

“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.”

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.