27 Sep BRIDGEND 26-29 LLANDOVERY

Bridgend Ravens opened their Super Rygbi Cymru home campaign with a narrow defeat to Champions Llandovery at the Electric Brewery Field, picking up two bonus points. 

Bridgend raced out of the blocks, Ben Evans almost took the opening kick off back for a score, but was stopped in the Llandovery 22.

It didn’t take long for an opening try from the Ravens, fast starters in all three opening fixtures of the 26/27 season so far, Bridgend struck through Benji Williams for their first score. Fraser Jones landed the extras for a 7 point lead with 6 minutes played.

The hosts will have been disappointed not to add another score in the opening 20 minutes, getting close but Llandovery ultimately held out.

The visitors struck for two scores, edging themselves ahead at the half hour mark.

Bridgend hit back with half time nearing, a strong maul effort crept toward the line before Harvey Nash spun over for the score. Fraser Jones nudged Bridgend in front with the successful conversion.

The visitors, with little time left in the half, managed to get themselves ahead once again. Confusion at the back from Bridgend allowed the Drovers to gather their kick into the Bridgend 22 and get over for the score through wing Kian Abraham.

HT Bridgend Ravens 14-19 Llandovery 

The visitors controlled opening matters of the second half, getting themselves a bonus point try and penalty to push themselves out to a 29 point to 14 lead by the 60th minute.

Bridgend finally struck back, effectively launching a final 10 minute fightback, through Cameron Ellis. The wing gathered a loose ball deep in his own half and raced downfield. Llandovery did manage to catch him, but the covering defender hit Ellis with no arms in the tackle, resulting in a penalty try and yellow card.

Three minutes later, as Bridgend spread the ball wide, Llandovery were shown another yellow. A deliberate knock on halting a potential Bridgend breakaway saw the Drovers down to 13 for the remainder of the match

Bridgend touched down through Edd Howley with five minutes remaining, narrowing the gap to 3, setting up a thrilling end to the encounter.

The Ravens probed late on but were ultimately held out by a resilient Llandovery side, Bridgend had to settle for 2 bonus points in a narrow loss, and will be disappointed they couldn’t get that late score to steal victory. Attention now turns to Swansea who visit the Electric Brewery Field next Saturday.