25/10/2026
1st Team Match Report 24/10/26
Glamorgan Wanderers 20 Bridgend Athletic RFC 12
Championship Cup – Round 2
Unbeaten this season and last season’s Championship East runners up Glamorgan Wanderers moved this 2nd Round Championship Cup game to Sardis Road, Pontypridd and kicked off in very windy and rainy testing conditions. The Ath knocked on and from the first scrum the Wanderers moved the ball left. Spotting the Ath had left the right-hand touchline exposed a cross kick tapped back inside saw a free run in for a 1st minute try converted to give the Ath the worst possible start.
To their credit captain Lee Murphy rallied his team and in the 7th minute the Wanderers were caught offside. Outside half Charlie Hancock did well in the conditions to land a 40 metre penalty to reduce the deficit to 7-3.
The Ath continued to control territory with No 8 Andrew Waite making powerful runs from the base of the scrum, with good support from his back row colleagues Hakeem Mumine and Will Price. Mark Davey and Owen Thomas were a physical presence at lock with Thomas making a trademark run through defenders to take the Ath into the Wanderers 22. Mumine made a break and a high tackle on him in the 18th minute saw Hancock reduce the deficit to 7-6 with the resulting penalty.
Against a far heavier pack the Ath front row of props Ben Owen and Brandyn Fooks along with ho**er Murphy were holding their own in the scrum. In the 26th minute the Ath managed to get a scrum drive going, forcing the Wanderers to concede a penalty, which Hancock converted to give the Ath a 9-7 lead.
It wasn’t really a day for the backs – but half backs Evan D’Adamo and Hancock, centres Gabe Brown and Stuart Floyd Ellis back on his former pitch were giving nothing away with Ellis making his presence felt.
Wings McKenzie Gray and Rhys Ward Jones made some runs as well as denying a free scoring Wanderers opportunities to attack. Pacy full back Dan Howells as well as sound in defence, was prepared to run out of defence and counterattack.
In the 35th minute on a rare excursion into the Ath 22 the Ath transgressed and the Wanderers reclaimed the lead at 10-9 from the penalty.
In a frantic final 5 minutes of the half the Ath regained the lead from a 4th Hancock penalty at 12-10, only to concede a penalty in the final move of the half for the Wanderers to go in at half time with a psychological 13-12 lead in which the Ath had enjoyed territorial advantage.
This boost was carried into the 2nd half with the Wanderers upping their game and keeping the Ath on the back foot. The early pressure paid off in the 48th minute when their tall and heavy lock forced his way over.
The conversion gave the Wanderers a 20-12 advantage.
The Ath brought on the experienced quartet of full back Jonathan Phillips, prop Rhod Apsee, along with flankers Dan O’Sullivan and Iestyn Merriman who suffered an early injury. All four were short of recent match time but were unable to turn the tide of possession and territory against the Wanderers. Apsee scrummaged well and O’Sullivan carried well on occasions. Young prop Callum Gregory also came on and is showing he will be a long term incumbent in the Ath front row.
However, it is the Wanderers who go into the 3rd round quarter final draw – and the Ath won’t be gracing the Principality Stadium for a third successive final in April.
Head coach Stuart Morris was very pleased with the overall effort of the team. However, was concerned about not dealing with restarts and on occasions allowing one mistake to lead quickly to others.
Morris along with fellow coaches Nathan Holman and Jonathan Phillips will be hoping that they can call upon the squad on display at Sardis Road along with a few unavailable, so the team can make an impression in the Championship East.
Thanks to photographer Paul Harwood for managing to cover the game in testing conditions and to Team Manager Paul Hearne for organisation of the day, including Yvonne putting on an excellent post-match buffet. Also, thanks to Ath supporters for braving journey to Sardis Road in very difficult driving conditions.
The Ath return to Championship East action this Saturday Oct 31st hosting Talywain at Brynteg, while the Generals visit Cardiff Saracens.
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