Fixture

Alltwen secured the Division 3 West Central title in style with a convincing win over Brackla, in their final home match of the season. The bonus point win means that with only one game remaining Alltwen cannot now be caught by second place Cefn Cribbwr.

Alltwen set out their stall from the start with the bonus point secured before half time with tries from Dan Madge, Alex Carne and a brace from centre Andrew Roberts running some clever lines. As many tries were missed however, with lapses in concentration leading to errors also forced by opponents who never gave up trying.

With the win secured, the second half became an eleven-try celebration, incuding touchdowns from Jordan Hopkins, Kyle Roberts, Rhodri Lewis, Paul James, Gareth Ireland and Andrew Thomas, the latter his first of the campaign and a well deserved reward for a season of valuable graft.

It was left to a couple of stalwarts to add the finishing touches. Number 8 Ceiron Daniel bagged a second half hat-trick, each try run in quicker than the last for fear of being caught by brother Elgan and given a deserved backhander for showing off.  Centre Andrew ‘Blondie’ Roberts also completed his hat trick in what could possibly be his final home appearance after 21 record scoring years of senior rugby, although nobody much believed Frank Sinatra either.

Jason Richards kicked four conversions before Blondie assumed kicking duties and converted five for a match total of 25 points. Prop Ross Jones then showed that the goalkicking future of his club is in safe hands, nonchalantly popping over the final conversion of an undefeated home campaign.

At the end of the match the division trophy was handed to Alltwen captain Dan Madge and his team by WRU representative Anthony Buchanen.  Word is that the ‘real’ trophy will be handed to Alltwen at the end of next week’s final match and this was a replica fruit bowl Anthony had nicked from his mam’s, meantime. Tidy.

Finally, a big thank-you to Brackla for fronting up after enduring a difficult season. The consolation for them is that 12 months ago Alltwen were in a not dissimilar position. Player coaches Chris Balfe and Jordan Hopkins have helped turn things around and will be looking for their side to finish the league season with another win next week at Ogmore Vale Kick of 2:30 pm.