03 Jan TEAM TO FACE ABERAVON AT THE BREWERY

Posted at 08:34h in 2024/25 Website News by

Bridgend Ravens welcome Aberavon to the Dunraven Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon for their first Super Rygbi Cymru game of 2025 (2:30pm).

The Wizards are arguably one of the leagues in form sides having won three of their four matches in the second block of games to date. Their sole defeat came last weekend in a shock 10pts to 8 loss at St Helen’s against previously winless Swansea. They have two games in hand on Bridgend, and sit in 8th place on 25 points having won 4 of their 10 games so far.

Bridgend picked up a much needed win at Stadiwm CSM against RGC last weekend in front of the S4C Cameras, picking up all 6 points in a 38pts to 19 win. Scott Baldwin’s side had been on a five match losing run before that – picking up a number of losing bonus points throughout.

The reverse fixture went Bridgend’s way as the Ravens picked up a narrow 29pts to 28 win at Talbot Athletic Ground. Aberavon won the corresponding fixture at the Dunraven Brewery Field last season by 18pts to 24, and Bridgend haven’t beaten their visitors at the Brewery since 2022.

Bridgend are without the majority of their regular regional contingent for Saturday’s match, so opportunity knocks for members of the wider squad to stake a claim ahead of the business end of the season.

Last week’s Man of the Match, Luke Price, comes into the starting lineup to replace the injured Ben Burnell in the only change to the back line.

Amongst the forwards, there are three changes; Liam Tobias is selected at tighthead, Alfie Llewellyn moves forward to the second row and Travis Huntley partners him. Ioan Pascoe is promoted from the replacements bench to take Alfie’s place in the back row.

There are two milestones in the match day squad – both Evan Yardley and Tommy Morgan are set to make their 50th club appearances.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Cameron Ellis 13. Ryan Wilkins 12. Tommy Morgan 11. Mccauley Rowley 10. Luke Price 9. Harvey Nash

1. Harry Olding 2. Evan Yardley 3. Liam Tobias 4. Travis Huntley 5. Alfie Llewellyn 6. Ioan Pascoe 7. Zac O’Driscoll (captain) 8. Thomas Jevons

Replacements: 16. Corey Lewis 17. Freddie Chapman 18. Eli Cowan 19. Joe Buckle 20. Kyle Harris 21. Chris Williams 22. Iwan Griffith 23. Jake Thomas