24 Feb Team to face Llanelli at the Brewery

Bridgend Ravens are at home on Friday evening with Llanelli the visitors for a re-arranged Indigo Premiership match (7:15pm). 

The Ravens come into the game in good form, having won three of their previous five games and picked up losing bonus points in the other two. That run of form has moved them from the bottom of the table, a spot now occupied by Friday’s visitors. Bridgend now sit just two points behind eighth placed Swansea – with the Ravens having three games in hand on most sides around them in the table.

Last Saturday saw Bridgend defeated by a last kick of the match drop goal by Ebbw Vale’s Kieran Meek. It had been a fine performance up until then from Smith’s side who led for all but ten minutes of the game. Tries from Edd Howley and Mike Powell got Smith’s side off to a flying start but they were pegged back by their hosts. With the scores level and the clock in the red, Ebbw pounced to drop a goal that condemned Bridgend to their first defeat of 2023. That result followed three straight wins for Bridgend – against Carmarthen Quins, Newport and Pontypridd and they’ll be keen to return to winning ways on Friday evening.

Llanelli lost out last Sunday to league leaders Cardiff by 57pts to 28. They have two wins from fourteen league games so far this season and currently occupy the bottom position of the Indigo Premiership table. Their wins were against Swansea on the opening weekend of the season and an impressive success at the House of Pain against Pontypridd.

Last season’s corresponding fixture at the Dunraven Brewery Field saw Bridgend pick up a bonus point success 43pts to 16. The Ravens crossed for seven tries that evening with three from hooker Gareth Harvey and two from Kieran Martin and will hope for more of the same this time out.

For Friday’s game, Tom Smith makes a number of changes to his starting lineup. Edd Howley and Caine Woolerton continue in the back three, with Ryan Edwards coming into the side. Stuart Floyd Ellis comes back in at outside centre alongside Rhys Williams. Luke Price and Chris Williams are the half backs.

The settled back row of Iestyn Merriman, Zac O’Driscoll and Jordan Collier go again, with Ben Thomas and Jack Pope in the boiler house. There’s change amongst the front row, with Harry Olding and Liam Tobias either side of Gareth Harvey.

Kenfig Hill Hooker Ashley Hickey is a new name on the Ravens’ bench and will make his club debut should be come from the replacements bench.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Ryan Edwards 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Rhys Williams 11. Caine Woolerton 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Gareth Harvey 3. Liam Tobias 4. Ben Thomas 5. Jack Pope 6. Iestyn Merriman 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Jordan Collier

Replacements: 16. Ashley Hickey 17. Rhodri Apsee 18. Curtis Hicks 19. Aled Evans 20. Reuben Tucker 21. Connor Tantum 22. Joseph Gatt 23. Iwan Griffith