17 Aug Bridgend 26-19 Llandovery

There was a winning start to pre-season for Bridgend Ravens, with a victory over Indigo Premiership champions Llandovery at the Dunraven Brewery Field on Thursday evening.

Head Coach Tom Smith gave game time to his wider squad and will have been pleased with what he saw during a hard fought 80 minute contest against the West Walians.

The first half was perhaps one to forget for both sides, with an error strewn period seeing plenty of mistakes during the early exchanges. It took until 27 minutes for the first score, with Llandovery’s Dino Dallavalle edging his way over for the opening try of the evening. Jack Maynard popped over the conversion.

Bridgend were forced into a change with debutant scrum half, Callaghan Smith, forced to leave the field with injury at the half hour mark. Just five minutes later, referee Gareth Newman yellow carded Bridgend’s Stuart Floyd Ellis for a knock on the official deemed deliberate.

With the clock in the red, Llandovery made their man advantage count. Former Llanelli second row, Chris Long, was able to bundle over to score a try which Maynard also converted.

HT: Bridgend 0-14 Llandovery

The second half was one which saw plenty of changes for both sides and one which Bridgend will be particularly pleased with. It took just over ten minutes for the home side to register their first points with tight head prop Liam Tobias bundling over for a try converted by Rhys Williams.

Then came the turning point. Aled Evans scored his first try of the evening following some smart handling from his team mates before bagging another just 5 minutes later to put his side into the lead. Debutant outside half, George Richards converted the second try.

With time ticking away, Bridgend continued to press and Cameron Ellis coasted home for his first try of pre-season following a smart outside break from Mike Powell. George Richards nailed the touchline conversion to all but secure victory for Bridgend.

The last act of the game saw Llandovery get their third try of the evening with a sweeping cross field move.

Bridgend round off their pre-season next weekend when English side Bournville are the visitors to the Dunraven Brewery Field on Saturday 26th August (2:30pm).

Bridgend Ravens: 15. Edd Howley 14. Mike Powell 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Joseph Gatt 11. Caine Woolerton 10. Rhys Williams 9. Callaghan Smith

1. Phil Price 2. Gareth Harvey 3. Matholwch Iorwerth Scott 4. Dylan Burrows 5. Jack Pope 6. Iestyn Merriman 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Jordan Collier

Replacements used: Lewis Hughes, George Richards, Cameron Ellis, Chris Williams; Harry Olding, Alex George, Liam Tobias, Aled Evans, Alfie Llewellyn, Reuben Tucker