Ospreylian college go down fighting in WRU U18 fixture.
- Newport High School scored five tries against a valiant Bridgend College side this afternoon
- Fly-half Rhys Bridgeman scored all of Bridgend College's points, with two tries and two conversions to his name
The visitors wasted no time in gaining their first points of the afternoon, charging down a kick from the first whistle which bounced nicely into the hands of prop Josh Reynolds who scored a try after just 39 seconds. Fullback Reagon Mahoney adding the extras gave Newport a 7-0 lead.
Bridgend College looked to bounce back from the restart gaining a penalty against Newport for not rolling away, opting for the posts only for the ball to drift just wide.
Strong attack from the Newport players led to fullback Mahoney spotting a gap in the Bridgend defence and racing up field into the hosts half only for a forward pass to bring the move to a halt.
In the tenth minute Bridgend hooker Zach Taylor went off with a painful looking shoulder injury after putting in a powerful tackle on the Newport wing.
Following a turnover in the Bridgend 22, prop Reynolds was too quick scoring his second try of the afternoon under the posts. Mahoney converting gave Newport a 14-0 lead with just 15 minutes played.
A missed touch finder from Newport was superbly taken by wing Cam Ellis who raced back into Newport’s half putting Bridgend back in attack. Awarded a penalty from a scrum gave the hosts a chance to gain more territory but a lost lineout left the home side with nothing from their efforts at the half time whistle.
HALF TIME Bridgend College 0 – 14 Newport High School
As the second half got underway it was almost deja-vu but this time it was Bridgend College who were quick off the mark. It was a brilliant take by scrum half Callum Palmer from the restart, who broke through the Newport defence and offloaded to his half-back partner Rhys Bridgeman for the home sides first try of the afternoon with just one minute of the second half played. He converted his own try narrowed the scores 7-14.
Despite good Bridgend pressure, Newport scored next, a pass out wide to Harley Painter sending the winger over for his side’s third of the game, Mahoney converting to give Newport a 7-21 lead with 50 minutes played.
With momentum on their side, good pressure from Newport forced a turnover and sent Dan Babos over the line, Mahoney kicking the conversion taking the score to 7-28 with just 10 minutes left to play.
A loose pass by the Newport backs was intercepted by wing Sam Palmer who raced back into Newport’s half but pulled into touch just inside the 22.
Stealing Newport’s lineout, Bridgend attacked well and a chip chase by Bridgeman saw a beautifully timed catch off his own kick before he raced over the line for his second try of the afternoon which, again, he converted.
James McCarthy secured the visitors fifth try of the afternoon.. It went unconverted but it was enough to secure the visitors a 14-33 win.
Bridgend College will face Ysgol Glantaf next Wednesday 16th November at 2:30pm.