06 Dec TEAM TO FACE NEWPORT

Bridgend Ravens welcome Newport to the Dunraven Brewery Field in Round 10 of Super Rygbi Cymru on Saturday afternoon (2:30pm).

The Ravens are looking to get back to winning ways following five successive league defeats – the latest a 28pts to 12 loss at Church Bank against reigning champions Llandovery last weekend.

Newport have had another scintillating season and continued their charge at the top end of the table with a comfortable 31pts to 20 win against Carmarthen Quins at Newport Stadium. They have five wins from their seven games to date, including a 41pts to 22 opening day victory over Bridgend in September.

The Black and Ambers also won last season’s corresponding fixture at the Dunraven Brewery Field 57pts to 27, but you don’t have to go back a long time for Bridgend’s last win against Newport at the Brewery; it came the previous season in a 27pts to 24 victory.

For Saturday’s game, Scott Baldwin hands a debut to the latest product of the Bridgend Rugby Pathway, young back Ben Evans, who features on the wing. The backline is otherwise unchanged.

In the pack, there’s a first appearance of the season for Ospreys prop Matholwch Iorwerth Scott, with Evan Yardley replacing Tyler Olding returning to his parent side for Saturday’s match. Travis Huntley makes an appearance in the second row with Barnaby Waddell moving to 8.

Amongst the Bridgend replacements is utility back Ollie Olds, on permit from Bridgend Athletic and hoping to make his first appearance for the club should he appear from the bench.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Ben Evans 13. Joseph Gatt 12. Ryan Wilkins 11. Mccauley Rowley 10. Ben Burnell 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Evan Yardley 3. Matholwch Iorwerth Scott 4. Travis Huntley 5. Evan Hill 6. Alfie Llewellyn 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Barnaby Waddell

Replacements: 16. Corey Lewis 17. Alex George 18. Liam Tobias 19. Joe Buckle 20. Ioan Pascoe 21. Ollie Olds 22. Gabe Lacey 23. Corum Nott