22 Sep Bridgend 26-29 Pontypool

Bridgend Ravens were narrowly defeated in their opening home Super Rygbi Cymru match against Pontypool on Saturday.

Played in glorious late Summer sunshine before a decent crowd, Bridgend started the better team and had crossed the whitewash within the opening minute. Some nice hands saw Edd Howley break the line before Jordan Collier found his way over for a try converted by Luke Price.

The Ravens continued their assault in the early stages and it wasn’t long before Howley got in on the act himself just 8 minutes later, gliding through the covering visiting defence to score.

Pontypool had the wind advantage in the first half and with their first meaningful attack were able to pull themselves back into the game. A strong forward drive was finished by Sam Scarfe.

With their tails up, Pooler now had the momentum and Mike Herbert was able to squeeze himself over in the corner for their second try. Meek landed a difficult conversion to level the scores.

With time running out in the first half, Bridgend were unable to take a few decent attacking opportunities and were made to pay. Wing Ioan Duggan scored a neat try to give Pontypool the lead for the first time on the afternoon as the clock edged closer to 40. The conversion from Meek was missed and the rest of the half passed without incident.

HT Bridgend 12-17 Pontypool 

It was a poor start to the second period for Bridgend as hooker Corey Lewis was sent to the sin bin for an off the ball altercation. The Ravens battled well though and were able to avoid further punishment on the scoreboard during Lewis’ 10 minutes off the field.

Pontypool’s Sam Cochrane was then carded by Keith David and Bridgend immediately struck. Ben Burnell, on at 12, put in a sumptuously grubber kick for Ryan Wilkins to score under the posts. Price added the easy 2 to reclaim his side’s lead.

5 minutes later the lead changed hands again. Pontypool were able to gain good field position following poor Bridgend discipline and after Meek had set up good field position, Scott Matthews was able to score from a smart line-out move.

The away side were now in control, but their efforts were not helped by Joel Mahoney receiving a yellow card with 15 minutes remaining.

Bridgend continued to press in the hopes of finding a winner and it seemed that replacement second row Alfie Llewellyn had done just that. Llewellyn fought his way through a number of covering defenders to finish. Price converted and Bridgend had the advantage with time running out.

There was time for a sting in the tail, though. Bridgend’s Dylan Burrows was penalised and subsequently sin binned and with a man advantage up front, the away side opted for a scrum. From the resultant attack, the wall was passed through the hands and Pat Lewis crossed for what was ultimately the match winner. Meek converted.

Bridgend had time to reply but Pooler held the ball smartly and cleared their lines to secure a bonus point win. The Ravens will be looking to bounce back with a trip to Swansea next weekend on the agenda for Scott Baldwin’s side.