Bridgend Athletic are back for more action at the ‘Go Compare Road to Principality’ series hoping for better fortunes than they experienced in the Division 1 Cup final last year against Caernarfon.
Twelve months ago, they were pipped at the post in an exceptional final against the north Walians which ended in a 30-29 defeat. Promotion to the Championship East was some consolation and now they are back at the home of Welsh rugby for another daunting task, facing Championship East league leaders Bedwas.
Twice already this season the ‘Was have beaten the Athletic and have lost only once all season. Under the expert guidance of former Cardiff coach Steve Law, who returned to his boyhood club last summer, they have got better and better as the season has progressed.
But as Law is quick to point out – “we’ve won nothing yet”. The task of picking up silverware begins on Sunday in the WRU Championship Cup final before the attention turns to turning their 13-point lead at the top of the table into a title and promotion back to the Admiral Premiership next season.
“This is the business end of the season. We’ve done all the detail for the weekend and it’s all about keeping the players’ feet on the ground in what will be a big occasion,” said Law.
“They are a hard-working group of players and they have responded well to me banging the door throughout the season about the standards they need to meet. A lot has changed over the course of the season and we’ve kept on improving.
“Out one defeat came at Treorchy in terrible conditions, and I held my hand up on that occasion because I got things wrong. We then beat Treorchy last week to set the record straight.
“We’ve got experience in key areas, especially with Luke Crane and James Dixon at half back. Owen Jones is on the bench, and he has captained the Army at Twickenham, while our captain Dale Rogers is in his fifth season as our leader.
“We have a strong scrum and that has been one of our points of difference to other teams this season. It’s a settled side that is in a good place at the moment and we’re all looking forward to Sunday.
“I’ve been to two cup finals with Cardiff and won, so I hope I can keep my record going.”
It will be a big weekend for Bedwas lock Harry Olliver as he makes his 100th appearance for the club. He is also awaiting the imminent arrival of a child from his partner.
Former Aberavon full back Jonny Phillips is in charge of an Athletic side currently sitting in sixth place in the Championship East table and looking to enjoy their latest big day out.
“Last year we went to the Division 1 final and were probably a bit over-confident. That came back to bite us and we won’t let that happen again,” said Bridgend Athletic team manager, Paul Hearne.
“For us to be playing at Principality Stadium for the second year in a row is simply fantastic, especially as we are a true community club who doesn’t pay a penny to anyone. We know that Bedwas are red hot favourites, but that has just meant we’ve been able to relax in our build up to ensure we can go there and enjoy it.
“We haven’t been at our best in the last four or five games but we’re going into this game fully loaded and ready to throw the kitchen sink at them.”
Included in the Bridgend Athletic pack is Kalafi Molitika, son of former Bridgend and Cardiff Blues Tongan international back row man Maama. He is joined in a very athletic back row by the highly experienced Iestyn Merriman and 18-year-old Hakeem Mumine.
TEAMS
Bedwas: Tristan Kugler; Aaron Billingham, Rhys Peters, Jake Lee, Adam Williams; James Dixon, Luke Crane; Brynley Toms, Mike Dacey, Jordan Rogers, Ben Sier, Harry Oliver, Rhys Morgans, Ben Eedy, Dale Rogers (captain)
Reps: Arwel Hughes, Harri Dobbs, Rhys Hutcherson, Will Fishlock, Lloyd Jones, Owen Jones, James Hallett, Hamish AndersonBridgend Athletic: Jonny Phillips (captain); Jake Williams, Rhys Ward Jones, Gabe Brown, McKenzie Gray; Ollie Olds, Evan Dadamo; Matthew Norman, Lee Murphy, Ben Owen, Adam Evans, Ben Cording, Kalafi Molitika, Hakeem Mumine, Iestyn Merriman
Rep: Olly Donahue, Mckenzie Scales, Matthew Greenman, Tom Morgan, Dan O’Sullivan, Cam Thomas, Joe Patterson, Charlie Hancock
ROAD TO THE FINAL
24 January 2026 – Semi Final
Bedwas 23 – 0 Ammanford
Newcastle Emlyn 6 – 17 Bridgend Athletic
13 December 2025 – Quarter Final
Bridgend Athletic 20 – 9 Treorchy
6 December 2025 – Quarter Final
Bedwas w/o v Gorseinon
25 October 2025 – Round 2
Aberystwyth 8 – 29 Bridgend Athletic
Tondu 12 – 26 Bedwas
27 September 2025 – Round 1
Bridgend Athletic 28 – 10 Mountain Ash