17 Apr Swansea 32-31 Bridgend

Bridgend Ravens picked up two bonus points in a narrow defeat to fellow Ospreylian side Swansea at St Helen’s on Saturday. 

There was very little between the sides on the day in a great contest played out with both sides bagging five tries.

Swansea opened the scoring early through Scrum Half Gareth Rees. Wales Under 20 Outside Half, Dan Edwards added the extras.

Bridgend struck back with ten minutes played. Edd Howley, threatening all afternoon, glided into the All Whites 22. A penalty five metres out was quickly tapped by Iestyn Merriman who managed to bust through the tackle attempts to score. Luke Price sent the conversion wide to leave Bridgend trailing by two.

Bridgend took the lead as the first quarter came to a close through their powerful maul efforts. Gareth Harvey, who’s launched himself up the try scoring charts in recent weeks, touched down. Price misses the extras seeing Bridgend lead 10pts to 7 with 20 minutes played.

Swansea hit back quickly, adding a second try of their own through Callum Bowden. Edwards sent his conversion wide this time.

The hosts added a third with just over half an hour played with a great attack from deep. Quick recycling handed Harri Huston space out wide and the Wales U20 flyer dotted down. Edwards landed the conversion handing the All Whites a 9 point lead.

A late penalty in the was half knocked over by Dan Edwards to hand Swansea a 12pt lead at the interval.

HT Swansea RFC 22-10 Bridgend Ravens

Bridgend struck immediately in the second half, Edd Howley’s cross kick landed perfectly for Mike Powell to touch down. Price landed the touchline conversion to narrow the gap to 5.

Bridgend were on top for the opening 10 minutes of the second half, bagging a bonus point try as the maul worked well again for Gareth Harvey, adding his fifth try in two games. Luke Price converted to once again hand the Ravens a slim lead.

Swansea hit back through a James Davies try before Bridgend struck back once again.

Bridgend’s interplay found gaps in the Swansea defence and the ball was then spread wide to find Mike Powell who rounded under the posts for his second of the game. Price converted.

Swansea attacked looking for a potential match winner when Jakob Williams offended close to his own line, being awarded a yellow card. The All Whites bagged the try they were looking for through Matt Dodd. Edwards’ missed conversion left a single point between the sides as the clock ticked into the final two minutes.

Despite the loss of scrum half Jakob Williams to the bin, Bridgend were hunting for a winning score. Luke Price saw a penalty attempt not given despite his protestation. One final effort from 45 metres fell short and Swansea held on for their first win in 2023.

It was an entertaining encounter between well matched sides which saw the hosts take the spoils by the narrowest of margins. Bridgend claimed two points with the losing bonus point plus a try bonus point and will finish their season next weekend as the same opposition travel to the Dunraven Brewery Field for back-to-back encounters.

Bridgend Ravens Scorers:
Tries: Iestyn Merriman (8), Gareth Harvey (16, 50), Mike Powell (42, 61)
Conversions: Luke Price (42, 50, 62)