15 Sep Newport 41-22 Bridgend

Bridgend kicked off their Super Rygbi Cymru campaign with a tough trip to Newport Stadium to take on last season’s Premiership runners up Newport.   

The perfect start to the game saw Jordan Collier touch down as the visitors worked a driving maul over the line with 4 minutes played. 

Bridgend struck for a second has the half hour mark approached. Luke Price launched a counter attack seeing Ryan Wilkins work in tight space out wide. The centre, making his competitive debut for Bridgend found the offload to Edd Howley who dived over.   

Bridgend indiscipline became a major issue that allowed Newport to claw their way ahead at half time. Tries from Wade Langley and Chay Foster Smith plus one Matt O’Brien conversion saw the hosts head in with a slim 2-point lead. Luke Price had the chance with the clock in the red to put Bridgend back ahead but his kick went well wide.  

HT Newport RFC 12-10 Bridgend Ravens   

A second half that closely mirrored the final 10 of the first half saw Bridgend harming themselves too often with poor discipline, combined with a struggling scrum and lineout.  

A repetitive nature to the match unfolded as Bridgend conceded penalties and with it handed excellent field position to the hosts who returned to their powerful maul for three consecutive scores.  

The hosts put the game to bed as a competition with a sixth try of the afternoon as Rynard Landman touched down.   

Bridgend kept working hard and struck for the final two tries of the match to bag a 4 try bonus point.   

The Ravens ran in two long range scores late on, McCauley Rowley, looking dangerous all afternoon, broke down field. Ben Burnell, in support, carried into the Newport 22 before Edd Howley raced over for the score. 

McCauley Rowley, voted the Bridgend Supporters Man of the Match, added a fourth Ravens score with a breakaway as Newport attacked deep in the Bridgend half.  

The last act of the game was a well struck penalty from O’Brien to extend Newport’s lead and give them the second bonus point in victory.  

Bridgend will look to bounce back from the defeat when Pontypool visit the Dunraven Brewery Field next Saturday.