13 Sep BRIDGEND 27-24 CARMARTHEN

Bridgend Ravens started the 2025/26 Super Rygbi Cymru campaign with a last gasp bonus point win over Carmarthen Quins at the Dunraven Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon.

Played before an impressive early-season crowd, both sides served up an entertaining tie despite the wet conditions.

Bridgend started slowly and former Scarlets back row Shaun Evans bagged Carmarthen’s first try after just three minutes. Elis Price made no mistake with the conversion that followed.

That score shook the Ravens into life, and after a strong forward drive was initially halted, Bridgend found a second surge for Tyler Olding to cross. Fraser Jones nailed an impressive touchline two.

The momentum was all with the home side now and after Rhys Jones awarded an offside penalty, Jones stepped up from half way but saw his long range effort drift wide.

Scott Baldwin’s side extended their advantage when Mccauley Rowley made a customary lightning break through the heart of the visitors defence to feed captain for the day, Chris Williams to score out wide. The conversion went awry this time.

The last ten minutes of the half was action packed. It started with Evan Hill being sin-binned for Bridgend for repeated infringements. Bridgend held firm for a short time, but Lewys Millin eventually made pressure pay for a try converted by Price.

As it seemed Bridgend would head into the interval behind, another driving maul was bound for the line but Tyler Olding neatly popped a pass out to a grateful Chris Williams to dot down on the touchline. The last act of the half was a wayward Jones conversion, seeing Bridgend head in at half time three points ahead.

HT: Bridgend 17-14 Carmarthen

Bridgend extended their advantage at the start of the second half through a Fraser Jones penalty, but were unable to add to it during a period of sustained pressure.

That gave Quins the encouragement they needed, and they duly nudged themselves back ahead with a try from a driving maul, impressively improved by Elis Price. Things went from bad to worse for Bridgend as Alfie Llewellyn was yellow carded for an infringement committed just before the score.

It looked as if Carmarthen would see the game out comfortably with the man advantage, particularly after Elis Price added three more to his side’s tally, but Baldwin’s Bridgend are renowned for their never say die attitude and were able to emerge victorious.

With time running out, Bridgend headed to the corner after Quins were penalised. It was the driving maul which won them another late victory, with Evan Yardley touching down. Luke Price stayed cool under pressure to add two more.

There was time to play, and after regaining possession from kick off, Carmarthen set out to try and regain the lead but the Ravens turned the ball over and kicked clear to seal victory.

Bridgend are home again next weekend, when Ebbw Vale visit the Dunraven Brewery Field for a 2:30pm kick off in the second round of Super Rygbi Cymru matches.