Fowler says goodbye to Bridge Field

FORWARDS coach Martyn Fowler has left Bedwas to join Premiership rivals Cardiff as the club’s director of rugby.

The former Merthyr coach spent nearly three seasons at Bridge Field and leaves with the club lying 11^th in the Premiership table.

Fowler, 47, is Cardiff born and bred and has previous experience coaching the city’s university team and has a son, Aaron, who is a hooker at Bedwas.

The opportunity to take up the position at Cardiff was too good to turn down for Fowler and had the offer come from any other club he would have stayed at Bedwas.

“I offer my full appreciation to Bedwas RFC for the opportunity to coach in the Welsh Premiership,” he said. “I have enjoyed almost three seasons at Bedwas, working with some very talented players who I am sure will continue to represent Bedwas with pride and passion for many seasons to come.

“If the offer to head up my own coaching team had come from any other club, other than my home town club, I would have been very honoured to stay at Bedwas for as long as required.

“The hard work and determination shown by all of the committee members at Bedwas in keeping the club in the Welsh Premiership has been incredible to witness this season, I don’t know of any other club that could have achieved that given the time frame.”

Club secretary Dai Cousins added: “Martyn has worked hard during his time at Bedwas and we would like to wish him every success for the future.”

Several Premiership fixtures have been rearranged for the next couple of weekends.

Bridgend’s games against Pontypridd and Tonmawr will now take place at Sardis Road and the Whitworth Ground on March 16 and 24 respectively. The Pontypridd match kicks-off at 7.15pm and the Tonmawr tussle starts at 2.30pm.

The Ravens will be without Rory Pitman for both of those fixtures, in fact, the back row won’t be eligible again until April 4 after picking up a six-week suspension for a red card against Carmarthen Quins at the Brewery Field on January 21.

Meanwhile, in other rescheduled matches, Tonmawr go to Carmarthen Park this Friday (7.30pm) while Pontypool welcome Aberavon to Gwent on March 24 (2.30pm).

Speaking of Aberavon, lock Ian Moore has been invited to play for the Barbarians against Loughborough University at their new stadium on May 9.

Moore joins the likes of Richard Morris, Chris Gittins, Jamie Davies, Marc Breeze, Richard Carter and Mark Davies as Wizards who have played for the world-famous BaaBaas over recent years.