08.09.08
- LLANDOVERY 8 v RAVENS 20
   
Appleyard upset at Drovers defeat
Sep 8 2008 Western Mail
Llandovery 8 Bridgend 20
LLANDOVERY coach Rob Appleyard could
not conceal his disappointment at this loss.
“We had enough possession to win the game, but basic
errors in crucial positions and a failure to keep our composure
cost us,” said the former Wales flanker. As only one
of two feeder clubs in the region, Llandovery should benefit
hugely from the new WRU policy of allowing any number of regional
players to appear in the Premiership.
But as hard as Scarlets prop Phil John and international No
8 Nathan Thomas tried, those around them lacked the consistency
needed at Premiership level. Committed Bridgend defence and
Llandovery’s poor finishing
conspired to make it 10-0 to the visitors at half-time.
Outstanding No 8 Rory Pitman scored a try against the run
of play, while Gareth David added a conversion plus a fine
penalty. A fleeting Llandovery second-half rally saw lock Matthew
Harbut get a try and fly-half Rob Evans kick a penalty, but
then replacement prop Craig Cross was sent off for stamping.
Confident full-back David and fly-half Gareth Bowen put in
some astute tactical kicking to keep Llandovery on the back
foot.
The visitors then dominated the contact area and Bowen kicked
a penalty before Pitman’s speed off the scrum highlighted
one of the advantages attackers have at close range when the
opposing backs must be five metres back. His dynamic burst
sent flanker Karl Hocking in for Bridgend’s
second try and deprive the Drovers of a bonus point.
29.08.08 - WELSH PREMIERSHIP SELECT
XV
Welsh Premiership Select XV team v Ospreys
Saturday 30th Aug at Old Parish Ground, Maesteg
KO: 4.00pm
15 Lee Bevan (Swansea)
14 Dan Connelly (Bridgend)
13 Adrian Thomas (Swansea)
12 Ashley Beck (Aberavon)
11 Richard Carter (Aberavon)
10 Gareth David (Bridgend)
9 Tavis Noyle (Neath)
8 Rory Pitman (Bridgend)
7 Lee Beech (Neath)
6 S.Jones (Swansea)
5 Andrew Fisher (Aberavon)
4 Neil Rownan (Swansea)
3 Craig Mitchell (Neath)
2 Mark Breeze (Aberavon)
1 Ryan Bevington (Bridgend)
Replacements:
16 N. Jones (Swansea)
17 N. White (Aberavon)
18 N. Downes (Neath)
19 A. James (Neath)
20 K. Ruddock (Neath)
21 H. Pugh (Neath)
22 J. Jones (Bridgend)
23 S. Williams (Swansea)
24 B. Watts (Swansea)
28.08.08 - REMINDER TO ALL RAVENS FANS
Just a reminder about the double header this weekend, Ravens
v Maesteg kicking off at 2.00pm and the Ospreys v Premiership
Select XV at 4.00pm. The games will be played at Maesteg's
Old Parish ground with admission £4 (Adults), £2 (up to 16
yrs) and FREE for U-12's.
Click
here for more »
27.08.08 - STATEMENT FROM RAVENS
CHAIRMAN DERRICK KING
We have held a number of very positive meetings with The
Celtic Crusaders' Mr. Leighton Samuel and his representatives.
Numerous points were discussed/agreed between the two clubs
for the forthcoming season and beyond with Mr Samuel keen
to help out wherever possible.
New Stadium
Following the Crusaders attaining a Superleague Franchise
it has become necessary for them to seek a new stadium.
Bridgend Ravens are being offered the chance to move with
them. The proposed facilities are a 15,000 seater stadium
for the Crusaders and a 4,000 capacity stadium and independent
facilities for the Bridgend Ravens. The timescale for this
development if agreed means we can expect to be playing
at the Brewery Field for at least 2 more seasons, maybe
more. This is still at the proposal stage so there are
a lot more details to be worked out.
The Brewery Field
Mr Samuel and the Crusaders are making a number of improvements
to the Brewery field over the next few months for the
short term. The ones that will effect the Ravens are, a
new dedicated Bridgend Ravens Physio facility, a dedicated
Bridgend Ravens storage area and the Gymnasium has been
converted to a new home dressing room / meeting room.
Despite these improvments to the facilities on offer Mr
Samuels has substantially reduced the rent the Ravens will
have to pay for the forthcoming season. For the fans peace
of mind Mr Samuel was also happy to confirm that a contract
exists between Bridgend Ravens and the Crusaders for the
Bridgend Ravens to continue playing at the Brewery Field
until 2013.
5th Region
As stated in the press the club feel that a properly funded
welsh premiership will serve Welsh rugby better that a
new 5th region. We believe that the most likely location
of a 5th region should it come about is North Wales.
Other news
The WRU and the Ospreys are keen to help out Bridgend in
any way they can. There will be more developments to come
on this. The realistic aims for this season is a mid to
upper mid table finish. Season tickets will be available
from next week. Watch the press and here for details.
If you have already filled out an application form you will
be notified. Tickets are available for Wales v Australia
and v South Africa through the usual channels. This is not
limited to season ticket holders.
Unfortunately, we can confrirm that Keith Stewart broke his
arm at Solihull last weekend and following surgery in the
week is expected to have a recovery time of 6 weeks
19.08.08 - BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL
33 v RAVENS 7
11.08.08 - RAVENS 92 v KENFIG HILL 7
07.08.08 - PRE-SEASON NEWS
The game against Kenfig Hill on Sat
9th Aug is being played at Pencoed College. It is Kenfig
Hill's home game but the pitch is not ready so it has been
transferred to Pencoed. Craig Warlow the Kenfig Hill coach
works at the college so the tie up is there. The Ravens are
highly appreciative of Pencoed/Bridgend College for the use
of their facilities as a base for pre season training, and
long may this connection continue.
The game against Pertemp Bees on Sat 16th August 2008 is
being played at Sharmans Cross Road, Solihul, Birmingham
(The home of Pertemp Bees) and will be a 3pm kick off. Interestingly
enough there a number of former Welsh Premiership players
now in their squad. They are former Ravens prop Craig Voisey
and former Ebbw Vale winger Simon Hunt.
Our final warm up game is on Sat 30th Aug 2008 against Maesteg at Llynfi Road. On the same day the Ospreys are playing a
premiership side made of Bridgend Ravens, Aberavon, Neath
and Swansea RFC premiership players. It anticipated the there
will be a number of our squad involved in the game, and it
is hoped that it can be played immeadiately after the Maesteg
v Ravens game at Llynfi Road as part of a double header.
Arrangements are currently ongoing.
07.08.08 - EPTON'S BACK AT THE BREWERY
DUAL code winger Grant Epton returns to
the Bridgend Ravens squad for the coming season. There could
be yet more signings to come as coach Paul Williams casts
his net far and wide to complete the line-up.
Williams said: “I am still looking at one or two players,
but I’m pleased with what I’ve got. “I
think we’re more or less there and we’ve been
looking good in training. The structures are in place. “Now
I’m looking forward to seeing a few in a game situation,
starting at Kenfig Hill on Saturday.” Read
full article »
06.08.08 - KENFIG HILL v RAVENS
Just a reminder to all you Ravens fans
that our first pre-season friendly game will be taking place
against Kenfig Hill (away) on Saturday August 9th.
For
directions to Pencoed College click here »
04.08.08 - INTERNATIONAL TICKETS AVAILABLE
FROM BRIDGEND RAVENS
The club has a limited number of tickets
available for the Invesco Perpetual Series '08, which includes
games against World Champions South Africa, Canada, New Zealand
and Australia.
v South Africa : 8th Nov
@ 14:30hrs
v Canada : 14th Nov @ 19:30hrs
v New Zealand : 22 Nov @ 14:30hrs
v Australia : 29th Nov @ 14:30hrs
For more information, please Contact Mike
Sheppard on 01656 660314.
04.08.08 - RAVENS SEASON TICKETS
Just a reminder to all you Ravens fans,
that Season Tickets are now available. With a number of packages
available, you can take advantage of the package which suits
you.
2008-09 SEASON
TICKET PRICES
Adult - £100
Adult Couple / Married / Partner - £190
Adult (Concession over 60) - £60
Former players - £60
Junior Ravens (12-16yrs old) - £50
All packages include the following:
• Access to Grandstand seating area for all home Premier Division games
• Opportunity to enter the draw for Wales' home Six Nations International
match tickets
Download
Application Form »
28.07.08 - OSPREYS COACHES LINK UP IN
NZ
Ospreys coaches Jonathan Humphreys and
Andrew Millward (Bridgend Ravens forwards coach) are to spend
a week learning from the All Blacks The pair head to New
Zealand next week where they will shadow national coaches
Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, plus some of the country's
Super 14 coaches.
"By tapping into such a rich vein of knowledge they
can only improve as coaches," said the Ospreys' Kiwi
boss Andrew Hore, who organised the trip. Read
the full article here »
25.07.08 - ALFIE FIGHTS BRIDGEND'S CAUSE
...
GARETH THOMAS last night came out fighting
the corner of the club that launched his career, insisting
that the idea of rugby league killing off union in Bridgend
is unthinkable.
“I would lie down in front of a truck if it meant
saving Bridgend Rugby Club from extinction,” Wales’ record
cap-holder told the Western Mail. “Losing rugby union
from that town simply cannot be allowed to happen.” Thomas,
the only Welshman to win 100 caps and the man who captained
the British Lions in New Zealand in 2005, spoke out after
Bridgend-based Celtic Crusaders were handed a three-year
Super League franchise. The news that top-flight rugby league
will be played in the town from next spring sparked an immediate
prediction of doom for the 15-man code from Bridgend RFC
director David Rees.
Rees said the decision would mean “the
death knell” for
one of the most famous clubs in the history of the Welsh
game, a club that was a springboard not just for Thomas himself,
but other greats such as JPR Williams, Steve Fenwick and
John Devereux. Read the full article here »
18.07.08 - RAVENS' OSPREYS ...
The Ospreys have announced which players
would be associated with each of the four Premiership clubs.
It can be confirmed that Bridgend Ravens will be able to
call on Wales Internationals Lee Byrne and Ian Gough, while
Kiwi superstar Marty Holah could also be seen strutting his
stuff in at the Brewery Field this season. The full list
is Lee Byrne, David Bishop, Rhys Webb, Rory Pitman, Marty
Holah, Ian Gough, Ed Shervington, Ryan Bevington, Andrew
Millward. Read the full article here »
10.07.08 - GARETH BOWEN SIGNS
FOR THE RAVENS ...
 Bridgend Ravens are pleased to announce the signing of outside half Gareth Bowen,
who returns to the Brewery Field from French Second Division Club Aurillac. The
Mountain Ash-based player previously represented both Llanelli RFC and champions
Neath at Principality Welsh Premiership level before heading for France a year
ago.
Director David Rees commented, "“We were looking
for a player of genuine quality at fly-half and Gareth Bowen
is in that category,” said Bridgend Ravens director
David Rees. Gareth has professional standards and I'm confident
that young players will benefit from his experience. I know
he is looking forward to playing with Bridgend again and,
hopefully, he can form a major factor in the development
of young Rhys Webb.”
Read
the full article here »
18.06.08 - PRE-SEASON NEWS
Bridgend Ravens will commence pre season
training on Tuesday 1st of July 2008, and
for the pre
season will be based at Pecoed College where we have kindly be offered use
of the facilities by Gareth Nicholas and
the club are grateful for this generous gesture.
Bridgend Ravens are actively recruiting players
for the forthcoming season and new signings
will be released shortly, however the following
players have already been signed:
BACKS
Gareth David
Chris Weightman
Dan Connolly
Geoff Hobbs
Gareth Howells
Mark David
Jonathan Hooper
Iwan Mainwaring (from Maesteg)
FORWARDS
Phil Price
Rhodri Jones
Lee Davies
Scott Baldwin
Ieuan Dobbs
Keith Stewart (from Glamorgan Wands)
Rhys Garfield (from Pontycymmer)
Karl Hocking (from Maesteg)
Matthew Tidball
Dale Newell
Matthew Davies (from Maesteg)
Jonathan Jones
Also available to Bridgend Ravens will be the following Ospreys
players:
Rhys Webb
Ryan Bevington
Rory Pitman
The following players have also been invited to train with
the squad
Ricky Griffiths (Prop)
Stuart Nation (Hooker)
Owain Phillps (Hooker)
John Campball (Second Row)
Daniel Smith (Back Row)
Simon Evans (Full Back)
06.06.08 - RAVENS PRE-SEASON NEWS
Sun 3rd August - Abercynon Sevens
Sat 9th August - Kenfig Hill (away)
Sat 16th August - Pertemp Bees (away
- supporters transport to be TBC...)
Sat 30th August - Maesteg (away)
A Press Release relating to player signings / departures
will be announced soon.
Watch this space ...
05.06.08 - OSPREYS DUO SIGN UP
Bridgend borough based Rhys Webb and Gareth Owen have committed
themselves to The Ospreys by signing four year contracts
with our region. Click
here for more info »
05.06.08 - CHECK YOUR TACKLE
Ieuan Dobbs, Jon Hooper, Gareth David and Matthew Tidball
have all stripped off in a cheeky poster campaign to raise
awareness of Testicular Cancer. Click here for more info
»
04.06.08 - WEBB AND BEVINGTON
TO START
Rhys Webb and Ryan Bevington have been named in the Wales
U20 starting lineup for the opening Junior World Championship
match taking place at the Liberty Stadium on Friday 6th June.
Local boy Gareth Owen is also named in the starting lineup.
Click here for more info »
BUY
TICKETS BY CLICKING HERE » | MEET THE WALES SQUAD
»
28.05.08 - SMITH AND RONAN LEAVE RAVENS
Bridgend Ravens can confirm that Paul
Smith (Centre) and Lee Ronan (Scrum Half) have signed for
local rivals Maesteg RFC for the forthcoming season. All
at Bridgend Ravens would like to extend their thanks to both
players for their commitment to The Ravens, and would like
to wish them well for their future careers.
11.05.08 - LEDBURY SEVENS TOURNAMENT
    
Group Stages
Hartpury 17-26 Ravens
Bristol Uni 17-28 Ravens
Semi Final
Ravens 0-36 Samurai
Final
Army 24-21 Samurai
Bridgend U16's did one better than their
senior counterparts, as they stormed to a 31-0 win in the
U16's Final against Bath, after overcoming Hereford and Stourbridge
in the earlier stages of their tournament. 07.05.08 - WANDERERS 36 v RAVENS
20 02.05.08 - 'BULLY' becomes a Raven
Bridgend Ravens are pleased to
announce the appointment of Ospreys' Andrew Millward as Forwards
Coach for the 2008 / 09 season.
Read
more » | Click
here to see 'Bully' in action!
30.04.08 - PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Special Award -
Chris Stephens (from the supporters club)
Clubman of the year - Simon Green (Awarded by managment & coaches)
Most Improved player - Gareth Howells (Awarded by
managment & coaches)
Supporters Player of the Year - Ioan Cunningham (Voted
by members of the supporters club)
Players' Player of the year will be awarded at the Players dinner on May 24th.
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