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Cefn Cribwr AC, Cefn Road, Bridgend (2025)

05/10/2025

Cefn Cribwr RFC – The Riders

Honours Even at Cae Gof

The Riders hosted Maesteg RFC at Cae Gof, looking for revenge after last week’s cup defeat to The Parish.

With several late withdrawals, a number of last-minute replacements were drafted into the Cefn ranks. As with most games in recent weeks, the elements were always going to play a major part in the outcome.

Playing away from the clubhouse and into a strong breeze in the first half, Storm Amy couldn’t stop the Riders blowing Maesteg away in the opening 20 minutes. Relentless offloads and powerful carries gave Cefn an early lead, with ho**er Harri Williams crashing over for a try converted by skipper Tom Carpenter.

The Parish hit back well, responding with a converted try and adding a penalty to take a 10–7 lead into half-time.

Debutant Connor Walker and prop forward Phil Burnell, returning after a few weeks off, proved a real thorn in the visitors’ side.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Maesteg controlling territory early on and extending their advantage to 13–7. From that point, however, it was all Riders pressure. Having turned down earlier penalty chances, Cefn opted for the posts twice in quick succession to level the scores at 13–13 with ten minutes to play.

Led by talisman Lloyd Allen, the Cefn pack threw everything at Maesteg in the closing stages. Credit to the visitors — their defence stood firm. The final play nearly delivered a home win, with ho**er Williams diving for his second in the corner, only for the referee to rule him out of play.

A hard-fought draw between two closely contested teams.

Final Score: Cefn Cribwr RFC 13 – 13 Maesteg RFC

A huge thank you to the supporters on the banking who braved the gale-force winds — your support is always appreciated.

Big thanks as well to our home Man of the Match sponsors Simon “Suss” Thomas and Justin Rees (The Swan, Aberkenfig and Just Hogolicious).

Lots of strong performances — Harri Williams with another great display and pinpoint arrows in impossible conditions, Jacob Goodwin a constant menace in tight and Tom Carpenter leading superbly.

Supporters’ Man of the Match: Lloyd Allen (Player Sponsor: Great Days Golf)

Team-Mate of the Match: Craig Keedwell (Player Sponsor: Urban Suburban)

Next up: Crynant (Away)

04/10/2025

🏉 GAME DAY ANNOUNCEMENT 🏉

We’re back in action today at home as we take on Maesteg RFC in the league!

📍 Home Fixture
🕝 Kick-off: 2:30pm

It’s set to be a great afternoon of rugby after the battle that took place in the cup last week, so come down, show your support, and get behind the boys!

28/09/2025

Riders Exit the Cup

The Riders made the short journey up the Llynfi Valley to face Maesteg RFC in the first round of the WRU Division 4 Cup. As always, a warm welcome awaited the visitors, with strong ties having developed between the two clubs after several encounters in recent years.

The Old Parish pitch was in fantastic condition, and with a moderate breeze at their backs, it was the home side who started the brighter. Some poor tackling from the Riders and sharp enterprise in attack saw Maesteg race into a 22–3 lead. The only response from the visitors in that period was a penalty from captain Tom Carpenter, and it looked as though the Riders would head into the break with a mountain to climb. On the stroke of half time, however, a period of sustained pressure brought reward when veteran prop Tony Millington crashed over for a well-worked try.

Half-time: 22–8

Like in previous weeks, the Riders looked a different proposition after the interval. Impressive winger Bailey John glided over for a fine try, with Carpenter adding the extras to narrow the deficit to 22–15.

But again the Riders were wasteful in the opposition half, and a costly turnover allowed the Parish to strike back with another try.

27–15

Entering the final quarter, it was all Riders pressure against a resolute home defence. Eventually, a clever cross-kick from Carpenter unlocked the line, with John on hand to claim his second try of the afternoon.

27–20

With the game in the balance, poor tackling on the edge once more cost the Riders as Maesteg added another score to pull clear.

32–20

Desperation drove the riders forward in the closing stages. A brilliant break from winger John, supported by busy scrum-half Scott Walker, put centre Ifan Rossiter over for the Riders’ final try.

Shortly after, the whistle blew.

Full-time: Maesteg RFC 32 – 25 Cefn Cribwr Riders

Credit must go to Maesteg, who deserved their win, but the rivalry will continue next Saturday when the sides meet again at Cae Gof. With several players retuning for the Riders it sure to be another thrilling encounter .

👏 Thank you to all the Cefn supporters who came out to back the boys.

Huge thank you to our away game Men of the match sponsors Benny Wong Cefn Chinese, Jeff Jones Pro Volt Engineering Services, Tal Mason of Masons Site solutions and Justin Rees (The Swan Aberkenfig and Hogolicious).

• Man of the Match: Bailey John (Player Sponsor Ryland Downs )

• Team Mate of the Match:
Lloyd Allen (player sponsor Great days Golf)

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26/09/2025

🏉🔥 Team Announcement! 🔥🏉

This Saturday, 27th September, kick-off at ⏰ 2:30pm – it’s Cup rugby action away against Maesteg RFC! 🏆💪

The riders are ready to get thier cup run started💥⚡

Let’s get behind them and show our support! 🙌

📅 Date: Saturday 27th Sept
📍 Away vs Maesteg RFC
⏰ Kick-off: 2:30pm

Come on riders – let’s make it count! 💪🏉🔥

21/09/2025

Our U7s group are always open to new players! Please get in touch with contacts on the poster for more information 🖤💛♥️

20/09/2025

Week 2 – Match Review

Cefn Cribwr RFC vs Penlan RFC

The Riders dig deep to claim a home win .

After opening the campaign with a draw away at Bridgend, Cefn Cribwr welcomed Penlan to Cae Gof in blustery conditions. Playing into the breeze in the first half, the Riders attacked the clubhouse end. Despite early pressure from Cefn, it was Penlan who struck first with the game’s opening try.

Thankfully, skipper Tom Carpenter had brought his kicking boots, and his accuracy kept the Riders in touch.

Dylan Jones-Thomas was a constant threat off the base of the scrum giving the home side a great platform.

With plenty of possession but no tries to show for it, Carpenter’s penalties ensured the home side trailed only 12-15 at half-time.

Turning around with the wind at their backs, Cefn looked to make the elements count. Another Carpenter penalty narrowed the gap, but Penlan hit back with a converted try to move out to 22-15.

The Riders responded superbly. The pack led by Graham Burford piled on the pressure, driving the Penlan back to their own line before ho**er Harri Williams, excellent all afternoon, crashed over to score.

Carpenter added another penalty soon after to put Cefn ahead for the first time, only for Penlan to reply with three points of their own.

Then came the try of the game: quick, flowing hands across the backline released Alex Underhill who fed centre Ifan Rossister to dot down to make it 28-25.

With just three minutes left, Penlan struck again through their elusive left winger, who chipped, chased, and collected to score — heartbreak for Cefn as the visitors edged ahead 30-28 with seconds remaining.

But the Riders had the final say. From the restart, pressure from the chase allowed replacement Daf Jones to force the penalty at the break down, and who else but Tom Carpenter stepped up to slot it over. 31-30 — victory secured.

A huge effort from both sides in testing conditions, with full credit to Penlan for playing their part in a thrilling contest.

👏 Thank you to all the Cefn supporters who came out to back the boys and a Huge thank you to our home game man of the match sponsors Simon Suss Thomas and Justin Rees (The Swan Aberkenfig and Hogolicious).

• Man of the Match: Tom Carpenter (Player Sponsor Pro Volt Engineering Sevices.)
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• Team Mate of the Match: Graham Buford (Player Sponsor Dunraven Windows)
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Next up: Maesteg (Away) – Cup Match

19/09/2025

🚨Huge congratulations and best of luck to our player-coach Lloyd Allen and vice-captain Chadd George on their selection to represent the Wales Dragonhearts tomorrow against the Irish Wolfhounds at the Gnoll.

An incredible achievement to wear the national jersey — well done, lads! We’re all immensely proud of you and confident you’ll do us proud out there.

Go smash it! 💪🏉

19/09/2025

🏉 MATCHDAY SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT 🏉

Here’s your riders lineup as we take on Penlan RFC in the league this Saturday, 20th September – kick-off 2:30PM at home!

📍 Cae Gof, Cefn Cribwr
⏰ KO: 2:30PM
⚔️ Opposition: Penlan RFC

14/09/2025

Match Week 1 – Review

The Riders began their 25/26 league campaign yesterday afternoon with a short trip to Bridgend Sports. Both the 1st XV and 2nd XV were in action, making it a full club day to kick off the season.

The weather provided bursts of sunshine broken up by thundery showers. Both pitches were in excellent condition considering the recent weather.

1st XV

The Riders 1st XV faced a strong wind in the opening half. Despite the conditions, number eight Chadd George powered over for the first try, with centre Ifan Rossister adding a penalty and conversion. At the break the Riders trailed narrowly, 13–10.

With the elements in their favour for the second half, the Riders would have felt confident to over come a three point deficit . However, to their credit the Sports came out of the blocks quicker , this combined with some poor discipline resulted in the home side adding two further penalties extending their lead to 19–10.

On the hour mark, George struck again. A clever chip-and-chase saw him gather the bounce and score a fine solo try to close the gap to 19–15. The Riders then began to dominate possession, and a comeback seemed on the cards.

But from the very next kick-off a mix-up gifted the Sports another penalty, stretching the score to 22–15.

The Riders refused to lie down. Sustained pressure in the closing minutes was finally rewarded when ho**er Dylan Thomas bulldozed over from close range. With the conversion added by captain Tom Carpenter the match finished in a hard-fought 22–22 draw.

Thanks to Bridgend Sports for their warm hospitality and to both sets of supporters for creating a lively local derby atmosphere.

• Man of the Match (1st XV): Chadd George player sponsor by the Local supporter network.
• Team Mate of the Match (1st XV): David Thomas player sponsor consumer energy solutions.

2nd XV

The 2nd XV enjoyed a more straightforward afternoon, securing a 35–14 win with a number of strong individual performances. It was fantastic to see the clubhouse buzzing afterwards, with both senior teams playing on the same Saturday for the first time in nearly a decade.

• Man of the Match (2nd XV): Connor Rossiter

2XV coach - jeff jones said ‘ Days like these don’t happen often, I’ve dreamt of this for a very long time . It was great to see the chairman smiling in the club last night and buying us some beers ‘

A huge thank you to our man of the match sponsors:-

Provolt Engineering services
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Masons site solutions
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The swan aberkenfig.
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Cefn Cribwr Chinese

Next Up

The Riders return home next Saturday, hosting Penlan in what promises to be another big challenge.

12/09/2025

📣 MATCH DAY 1 PREVIEW

Tomorrow marks a huge day for the club as we kick off the new league campaign with BOTH our First XV and Second XV making the short journey to face Bridgend Sports 🏉

For the first time in nearly 10 years, we’ll proudly field both a First XV and a Second XV on the same day – a massive achievement for the club 👏

⚔️ The Riders did the double over Sports last season, but with plenty of fresh faces in both squads, it’s set to be a brand-new challenge and an exciting start to the campaign.

🔥 Ones to watch:

In the backs, Alex Underhill and Lewis Anderson have shone throughout pre-season and will line up in a young, hungry backline.

Up front, Dylan Thomas earns his first competitive start at ho**er after an all-action pre-season.

This is the reward for months of graft, commitment, and dedication from players, coaches, and supporters alike.

The club is stronger than ever, and we can’t wait to get going!

Thankyou to all the player sponsors for this season.

Kick-off: 2:30pm ⏰
Opponent: Bridgend Sports RFC

11/09/2025

🚨 GAME DAY ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

Our first league match of the season is here! ⚔️🔥

This Saturday, we’re on the road to face Bridgend Sports RFC.

📍 Bridgend Sports RFC
🗓 Saturday 13th September
⏰ 2:30 PM Kick-off

The hard work in preseason is done — now it’s time to leave it all on the pitch. 💪

Let’s start this campaign strong! 🏉

09/09/2025

A Huge Thank You to Keiran "Screetch" Hooper! 🙌

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Keiran Hooper for generously sponsoring two players this season. Keiran , a former player, has faced incredible challenges following a life-changing accident—but his strength, resilience, and positive attitude have been nothing short of inspirational. 💪

One of this season’s sponsored players is Lee Rogers, proudly sponsored by Hoopers AgriculturalPlant Services— one of Keiran’s new ventures.

Keiran has recently launched two businesses, and we would love for our community to rally behind him just as he’s supported us. Please like, share, and follow his business pages — every bit of support makes a difference!

🔗 Follow the link below for more information about Hoopers Agricultural Plant Services.

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Cefn Cribwr AC

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