28 Sep Swansea 24-27 Bridgend

Bridgend Ravens picked up their first Super Rygbi Cymru win with victory at St Helen’s on Saturday afternoon. 

After coming agonisingly close to victory at home to Pontypool last weekend, Scott Baldwin’s side made amends with Chris Williams’ 78th minute try sealing four points for the Ravens.

Bridgend started the game in confident fashion and took the lead within the first 6 minutes. Ben Burnell, making his first competitive start at outside half, finished off a nice move in the corner following some good work from Edd Howley. The conversion slipped wide.

Swansea struck back just five minutes later. Bridgend were penalised at the scrum and from a driving maul, former Raven Owen Thomas was on the back of a powerful surge to score. Josh Phillips converted.

Bridgend had the best of the half and added three further penalties from Burnell on 16, 26 and 29 minutes. Josh Phillips was able to pull 3 points back for the hosts as the half drew to a close but the Ravens had the advantage at the break.

HT Swansea 10-14 Bridgend 

The second half was a tight fought affair with neither side troubling the scorers until Burnell kicked another 3 with 15 minutes remaining.

This sparked the hosts into life and a counter attack from the impressive Harri Houston saw the full back nudge ahead for Matthew Aubrey to score. Phillips levelled the scores with the conversion.

Burnell put Bridgend back ahead from the tee with just eight minutes to go, but Swansea battled back again and their persistence in attack paid off as Lewis Edwards forced his way over from close range for what seemed to be the winning try, again converted by Phillips.

The tie was far from over though and an opportunistic break from wing Jake Thomas, a thorn in the All Whites’ side all afternoon resulted in the wide man hacking ahead, recovering possession within metres of the try line. He was able to pop a neat pass to the supporting Chris Williams to score. Crucially, Burnell converted to extend Bridgend’s lead to 3.

There was time for Swansea to try and win the game again though, but some resolute Bridgend defence held them out. After a strong drive was thwarted, Harri Houston was tackled high giving Swansea another chance at victory. Bridgend’s pack were up to the challenge though, forcing another Whites error with referee Rhys Jones’ full time whistle sounding shortly after.

The sides meet again on Thursday evening at Dunraven Brewery Field with a 7:30pm kick off.