26 Jan BRIDGEND 15-14 ABERAVON

Bridgend Ravens got their Super Rygbi Cymru Cup campaign underway with a hard fought win against Aberavon at the Electric Brewery Field on Saturday.

Bridgend’s pool includes Ebbw Vale, Llandovery, Swansea and Aberavon with the top two qualifying for the cup semi finals and those placed third and fourth qualifying for the plate semi finals – so both sides knew that every point was vital for progression to the knockout phase.

Played in wet, wintry conditions, Bridgend made the most of a first half wind advantage to lead 15-0 at the interval. Chris Davies’ Wizards battled back in the second period but couldn’t find a winner despite bagging two tries of their own.

The Ravens made a fast start and scored a try after just three minutes. Lloyd Wilkins and Fraser Jones combined to find Gabe Lacey who crossed in the corner. Wilkins’ conversion slipped wide in the wind.

Bridgend kept going and after a sumptuous 50/22 by Cameron Ellis, the pack did the rest and Corey Lewis was able to bag a try assisted by the pack. Wilkins nailed the conversion this time.

The Ravens kept battling away but the only score they were able to add during the remainder of the half was a penalty by Wilkins which ended up being the match winner. They spent the last 20 minutes camped in Aberavon territory but the visitor’s defence held firm and they were able to survive unscathed.

HT: Bridgend 15-0 Aberavon

If the first half was all Bridgend, the second half belonged to the Wizards. Despite losing Shay Smallman to a yellow card just six minutes into the second period, they were able to retain the ball and pressure, but were unable to convert that into points for the first twenty minutes of the period.

Their persistence did pay eventually with former Raven Brad Roderick bundling through some challenges to score a try converted by Keillen Cullen.

Aberavon didn’t hang about, and Ospreys youngster Connor Moyse scored their second just five minutes later out wide, with that score also expertly converted by Cullen to make it a one point game.

The rest of the game was all about Bridgend’s defence though, and despite some hairy moments, Baldwin’s men held out to secure a first victory in the cup, and in all competitions since October.

Bridgend are back in league action next Saturday with a rearranged fixture against Carmarthen Quins at the Park (2:30pm).