16 Sep Team to face Pontypridd

Bridgend Ravens travel to Pontypridd on Saturday afternoon for a pool stage Indigo Premiership Cup Match (2:30pm).

The clash at Sardis Road sees both teams resume competitive action following last weekend’s postponed round of games, not played as a mark of respect to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Ravens and the Valley Commandos face off for the next two weekends, this week in cup action and next Saturday in the Indigo Premiership.

Both teams lost their opening round of Indigo Premiership matches, Bridgend were beaten 45pts to 14 at Aberavon, while Pontypridd lost 26pts to 12 at home to Cardiff.

Tom Smith makes a couple of changes to the side which was scheduled to face Carmarthen last weekend. Mike Powell, a try scorer in Bridgend’s league opener, gets a chance on the wing.

Amongst the forwards, there’s a first start for Harry Olding and Aled Evans is the change in the back row. Prop Christian Brooke is set to make his club debut if he appears from the replacement’s bench.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Caine Woolerton 13. Joseph Gatt 12. Iwan Griffith 11. Mike Powell 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Evan Yardley 3. Liam Tobias 4. Hemi Barnes 5. Jack Pope 6. Aled Evans 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Jordan Collier

Replacements: 16. Gareth Harvey 17. Rhodri Apsee 18. Christian Brooke 19. Bowen Davies 20. Dafi Davies 21. Dylan Davies 22. Paul Short 23. Jamie Murphy