25 Sep Team to face Aberavon at the Brewery
Bridgend Ravens face Aberavon in the first of back to back derby matches with the Wizards, starting with a clash at the Dunraven Brewery Field on Thursday evening (7:30pm).
Both sides come into Thursday’s match with one victory out of their opening two league matches. Bridgend started the campaign with a 27pts to 24 victory over Carmarthen before falling to a 34pts to 17 home reverse to Ebbw Vale last weekend.
Aberavon lost their opener against Ebbw at Ciner Glass Community Stadium 36pts to 17 but pulled off perhaps the result of the round last weekend, defeating last season’s champions Newport by 28pts to 24.
Bridgend won both league ties between the sides last season, winning 29pts to 28 at Talbot Athletic Ground in October before an epic, last kick victory at the Brewery in January by 30pts to 27.
For Thursday’s match, Scott Baldwin makes a number of changes to his matchday 23. Lloyd Wilkins, having made an impressive cameo at 15 against Carmarthen, gets the nod from the get go – with Ben Burnell also making his first start of the season at 12. Other changes in the backline see Ospreys youngster Ben Evans replace Jake Thomas on the wing, and Harvey Nash in from the start at 9.
The side is led by Marc Thomas this week as Zac O’Driscoll remains unavailable. Dylan Burrows is selected at 6 with Alfie Llewellyn picking up a knock at the end of the Ebbw Vale game, and Barnaby Waddell replaces Evan Hill in the second row.
Amongst Bridgend’s replacements, there’s are potential competitive debuts for scrum half Dan Roderick, freshly signed from RGC but originally a product of Bridgend Sports, and second row Alfie Thomas, an Ospreys Academy prospect. Cameron Ellis is also involved in a match day 23 for the first time this Super Rygbi Cymru campaign.
Also on Bridgend’s bench is Luke Price, who will make his 50th appearance for the club should he take to the field.
Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Lloyd Wilkins 14. Mccauley Rowley 13. Joseph Gatt 12. Ben Burnell 11. Ben Evans 10. Fraser Jones 9. Harvey Nash
1. Marc Thomas (capt) 2. Tyler Olding 3. Nathan Evans 4. Barnaby Waddell 5. James Richards 6. Dylan Burrows 7. Thomas Jevons 8. Benji Williams
Replacements: 16. Corey Lewis 17. Harry Olding 18. Liam Tobias 19. Alfie Thomas 20. James Owen 21. Dan Roderick 22. Luke Price 23. Cameron Ellis