01 Nov Swansea 32-19 Bridgend
Bridgend Ravens lost out at St Helen’s to a second half Swansea fightback, as they let a 19 pts to 8 slip to lose 32pts to 19.
Bridgend were brilliant for 60 minutes, but Swansea scored 24 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes to flip the game on its head and take five points from the all Ospreys derby.
Swansea started the strongest with an early penalty from Luke Scully, and a try from Joe Thomas pushing themselves out to an 8 point lead.
Bridgend went on to dominate the remainder of the first half. McCauley Rowley was the first try scorer for Bridgend, the wing stretched over for the score with 17 minutes on the clock.
Swansea lost Callum Carson to a 20 minute red card for a dangerous tackle, giving Bridgend some extra space to attack, and the visitors bagged two tries in that period.
Ioan Davies grabbed Bridgend’s second score. The big back rower rumbled over out wide thanks to a neat Ryan Wilkins offload. Ben Burnell nailed the touchline conversion.
The Ravens went coast to coast shortly after, McCauley Rowley broke and kicked downfield before the flyer recovered the ball in midfield. The ball was quickly recycled and Bridgend worked into the Swansea 22. James Richards picked and forced his way over for the score. Ben Burnell again added the extras and Bridgend were in a commanding position as the first half ended.
HT Swansea RFC 8-19 Bridgend RavensÂ
Bridgend opened the second in similar form to the end of the first, hammering away at the Swansea line. Swansea lost Joe Thomas to the bin for a deliberate knock on as Bridgend looked to bag a fourth try. The overlapping players were denied and Thomas was shown yellow but despite denying what seemed a clear try scoring opportunity, referee Adam Jones didn’t award a penalty try and Bridgend failed to capitalise.
Swansea got themselves back in it as Fraser Jones found his exit attempt charged down close to the Ravens line. Swansea touched down through Sam Morgan for the try to narrow the gap to 6pts with 20 minutes still to play.
It felt like the remaining 20 minutes was all Swansea. The hosts went on the secure a bonus point win whilst denying Bridgend anything from the game. Kai Inker was the first to score, charging down a Bridgend clearance kick, before Callum Bowden scores what would ultimately be the game’s winning score.
With time almost up, Benji Williams was sent to the bin for Bridgend and the All Whites took full advance to deny Bridgend anything from the match. The Ravens tried everything to steal victory, but spilled the ball and Inker scored again to seal all the points for Swansea.
Super Rygbi Cymru takes a break, with Bridgend next in action when RGC visit the Electric Brewery Field on 21st November (2:30pm).