05 Jan Team to face Carmarthen at the Brewery

Posted at 08:43h in 2023/24 Website News by

Bridgend Ravens welcome Carmarthen Quins to the Dunraven Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon in their first Indigo Premiership match of 2024 (2:30pm). 

The Ravens ended 2023 with a dismal December – losing all four matches to Swansea (twice), Aberavon and Newport. Having previously been on a three game winning run in the league, they will be keen to get back to winning ways but know a tough task lies in wait with a Carmarthen Quins side who historically have a good record against Bridgend.

The Quins are having a difficult season with just one win to their name so far, a victory against Neath at the Gnoll picked up in September by 49pts to 14. They have been much improved of late and gave Champions Llandovery a scare last weekend before falling to a 20pts to 0 defeat.

Last season, Bridgend won both games between the sides – the 8pts to 7 victory at the Dunraven Brewery Field followed a 22pts to 14 win at Carmarthen Park which was Bridgend’s first at the ground since 2006. In September, Bridgend picked up a bonus point win against the Quins at The Park by 22pts to 11.

For Saturday’s game, Tom Smith makes a number of changes to the side which was defeated at the Talbot Athletic Ground last weekend. In the absence of regular skipper, Zac O’Driscoll, Edd Howley is named as captain in a back three with Mike Powell and Cameron Ellis. Stuart Floyd Ellis moves to 13 alongside Tommy Morgan in midfield and there’s a return to blue and white for outside half Jacob Lloyd who comes straight into the side with Luke Price and Paul Short still absent injured. Callaghan Smith continues at 9.

Evan Yardley is the only change to the front row, with a reshuffled back row of Alfie Llewellyn, Iestyn Merriman and Reuben Tucker selected for Saturday’s game.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley (capt) 14. Cameron Ellis 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Tommy Morgan 11. Mike Powell 10. Jacob Lloyd 9. Callaghan Smith

1. Harry Olding 2. Evan Yardley 3. Matholwch Iorwerth Scott 4. Ben Thomas 5. Jack Pope 6. Alfie Llewellyn 7. Iestyn Merriman 8. Reuben Tucker

Replacements: 16. Gareth Harvey 17. Liam Tobias 18. Curtis Hicks 19. Dylan Burrows 20. Jordan Collier 21. Chris Williams 22. Joseph Gatt 23. Caine Woolerton