16 Feb BRIDGEND 21-28 EBBW VALE

Bridgend Ravens were edged out by Ebbw Vale in a tight Super Rygbi Cymru Cup match at the Electric Brewery Field on Saturday.

The Ravens will be ruing missed chances as they ran the SRC League Leaders close, and eventually fought back to earn a bonus point that secures Bridgend’s place in the Plate Semi Finals.

The home side started the best and dominated early proceedings. Jake Thomas, who looked dangerous all afternoon, found a gap in the Ebbw defence to slice through and feed Harvey Nash to score Bridgend’s opener. Lloyd Wilkins added the extras.

Ebbw showed their class and flipped the game on its head with two quick tries, showcasing their forward prowess. First it was prop Adam Williams who burrowed over after Bridgend’s defence appeared to have held firm before Joe Franchi bagged yet another try against the Ravens, from a powerful 15 man driving maul. Dragons youngster Will Ford kicked both conversions and Ebbw, against the run of play, had the half time lead.

HT Bridgend 7-14 Ebbw Vale

The sides were locked in a titanic tussle with the next score crucial and it was the Steelmen that got it through Joe Franchi – a score converted by Ford.

Bridgend didn’t give up though, and with just over ten minutes left, some patience in possession saw Lloyd Wilkins weave his magic to dot down in the corner. He expertly landed his own conversion to bring the Ravens within seven.

Despite their best efforts, Bridgend couldn’t get a leveller and despite a period of prolonged pressure, it was Ebbw that scored next to secure five points. Dom Franchi was on the end of a neat break to score near the posts for a converted score.

Baldwin’s side refused to give up though and got their reward with the clock in the red. Tom Morgan, covering unavailability in the back row was on the shoulder of Benji Williams after the former Cardiff man sythed through the Ebbw defence to score. Ben Burnell’s conversion was successful and signalled the end of the game.

That losing bonus point confirmed Bridgend’s place in the Plate Semi Final – with a game against Swansea at Dunvant’s Broadacre on Friday evening set to decide whether the Ravens will play that semi final at the Electric Brewery Field or away against a Pool A side.