25 Sep Bridgend 35-37 Aberavon
Bridgend Ravens were narrowly edged by Aberavon in an entertaining all Ospreys derby at the Dunraven Brewery Field which saw Scott Baldwin’s side pick up two bonus points in defeat.
It was a late Joe Gage try, converted by Keillen Cullen which won it for the Wizards in a see saw game which went the way of the visitors.
Bridgend started brightest and Thomas Jevons pounced for a try from a smart lineout move following an inventive move from Tyler Olding, Fraser Jones converted.
It was all Bridgend for the next 10 minutes but after Jones missed touch from a penalty, Aberavon were able to clear their lines and it didn’t take long for them to strike back. A loose ball in the 22 was gathered by Rhys Thomas who dotted down and after referee Ben Connor consulted with his touch judge, Rhys Jones, a try was awarded.
The Port Talbot side didn’t waste any time in taking the advantage of that change in momentum and shortly after, full back Scott Delnevo was able to score under the posts, converted by Cullen.
The game took another twist just two minutes later, Benji Williams finishing off a flowing Bridgend move after a nice break from Ben Evans after Lloyd Wilkins stepped into the line. Jones once again converted.
Bridgend stretched their advantage when Mccauley Rowley was able to bust through the covering Aberavon defence to bag a converted try near the posts.
The Ravens ill-discipline let Aberavon back into the game and after they conceded a penalty for crossing, Frankie Jones was the latest beneficiary of Bridgend’s hospitality of a gift back into the game.
There was time for Aberavon to take the lead too, second row Lewis Marsh scoring their bonus point try three minutes short of half time.
HT Bridgend 21-22 Aberavon
Luke Price was Bridgend’s first change in the second period, replacing Fraser Jones after just 5 minutes to make his fiftieth club appearance. He could do nothing as Lewis Marsh extended Aberavon’s lead with his second try two minutes later.
With Bridgend unable to get their hands on any meaningful possession, Cullen added three more to make it a two score game and seemingly now well beyond Bridgend’s powers of recovery.
That comeback started five minutes later after Luke Price’s stunning touch finder yielded a close range score from Corey Lewis. The Abercrave product landed a nice conversion to pull Bridgend closer.
It was all Bridgend now, and Price’s looping pass from a set place set away Rowley to score in the corner, a try once again converted by the replacement outside half.
There was plenty of time left, and after Aberavon’s scrum earned them a penalty, captain Joe Gage was able to waltz through Bridgend’s defence and bag what turned out to be the match winner following Cullen’s two.
Bridgend v Aberavon games often go to the wire, and when Gage was shown a yellow card, the home crowd sensed another comeback was on the cards. The final act of the match was a knock on as Bridgend tried to force the issue against some resolute visiting defence but those efforts were in vain as the derby match went the way of the travelling side.
The two sides will lock horns again in nine days’ time when Bridgend make the short trip to the Talbot Athletic Ground on Saturday 4th October (2:30pm).