15 Apr TEAM TO FACE ABERAVON AT TAG

Bridgend Ravens head to Aberavon on Thursday evening with a place in the Super Rygbi Cymru League Quarter Finals at stake for the victor (7:30pm). 

That Quarter Final will be against second placed Ebbw Vale at Ciner Glass Community Stadium a week on Saturday and this week’s match is set to be another close encounter with just two points separating the sides in this season’s final league standings.

The sides have already met three times this season, with Bridgend leading the mini series 2-1. The Ravens won at Talbot Athletic Ground 36pts to 26 in October, and 15pts to 14 at the Electric Brewery Field in January. Aberavon won the other game in Bridgend territory thanks to a late Joe Gage try, winning 37pts to 35.

The Ravens revert to a more familiar squad for Thursday’s match, having taken the opportunity to field a younger side at Stadiwm Eirias last weekend. That means that Edd Howley moves back to 15, in a back three with Cam Ellis and Mccauley Rowley. Tom Florence returns from injury to partner Ryan Wilkins at centre, with Ben Burnell and Chris Williams the half backs.

The Ravens’ front row comprises Harry Olding, Corey Lewis and Nathan Evans, with Barnaby Waddell and Evan Hill in the second row. Alfie Thomas, Zac O’Driscoll and Thomas Jevons are the back row.

After making a try scoring debut last week, Dom Manaseitava is selected amongst the replacements, along with last week’s Supporters’ Man of the Match, Morgan Boobyer.

Bridgend Ravens XV – 15. Edd Howley 14. Cameron Ellis 13. Ryan Wilkins 12. Tom Florence 11. McCauley Rowley 10. Ben Burnell 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Corey Lewis 3. Nathan Evans 4. Evan Hill 5. Barnaby Waddell 6. Alfie Thomas 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Thomas Jevons

Replacements: 16. Dom Maneseitava 17. Alex George 18. Callum Donoghue Proud 19. Kyle Harris 20. Morgan Boobyer 21. Dan Roderick 22. Lloyd Wilkins 23. Fraser Jones