15 Dec Bridgend 27-57 Newport

Posted at 09:00h in 2023/24 Website News by

Bridgend Ravens were blown away by a rampant second half performance from Newport on Thursday evening at the Dunraven Brewery Field.

Bridgend led 20pts to 19 at the interval but could do little to stop a Matt O’Brien inspired Newport from storming to victory in the second period.

The Ravens started the game well and led through an early Rhys Williams penalty. Moments later, some good work from the Bridgend pack saw Jordan Collier dot down to bag the first try of the evening, a score which Williams improved.

Williams missed a long range effort at the midway point of the first half before the game came to life. Elliot Frewen and Ben Roach both crossed the whitewash for the visitors, the former converted by O’Brien, before Rhys Williams kicked Bridgend back ahead with a well struck three points.

As half time neared, Oli Andrew scored his first try of the evening following a neat cross kick which O’Brien converted.

With the clock in the red, Bridgend went to the corner following the award of a penalty and the driving maul soared over the line for Evan Harry to score. Williams kicked a peach of a touchline conversion to give Bridgend the lead again.

HT Bridgend 20-19 Newport 

It was a second half to forget for Tom Smith’s side and it got off to the worst possible start. The visitors struck twice in quick succession to take the advantage in the match as Frewen and Andrew scored converted tries.

Jon Morris benefitted from some midfield chaos to clinch the game for Newport, before Harry Olding scored his second try in two games for Bridgend which was converted by Williams.

That was as good as it got for the home side though as Newport ran riot in the final quarter. Reuben Tucker was yellow carded and Frewen and Andrew both scored their third try of the evening.

There was time for a final flourish for the visitors as Matt O’Brien capped his Man of the Match performance with a try of his own which he duly converted.

The defeat brings an end to Bridgend’s three game winning streak in the Indigo Premiership. The Ravens now face two festive derbies next up, with Swansea the visitors to the Dunraven Brewery Field next on December 23rd.