26 Aug Bridgend 38-3 Maesteg Quins

Bridgend Ravens wrapped up pre season with a victory over Championship side Maesteg Quins at the Dunraven Brewery Field on Friday evening.

The Ravens were made to work hard for their victory, going in just 5pts to 3 ahead at half time, but a second half flurry of scores saw the home side earn a comfortable win ahead of next weekend’s Indigo Premiership opener with Aberavon at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

Tom Smith will have been pleased with what he saw overall, with 27 players getting a taste of match action. It was a slow start but after Owen Howe missed a long range penalty for the visitors, Joseph Gatt broke away for a score thanks to a strong carry from Iestyn Merriman. Paul Short slipped the conversion wide.

The rest of the half went by without either side troubling the scorers. The on field action boiled over on a couple of occasions, but referee Rhys Jones blew for half time with Bridgend holding a slender lead.

HT Bridgend 5-3 Maesteg Quins

The second half saw both sides experiment, making a raft of changes throughout the 40. Bridgend’s pressure told and after a lovely pass by Mike Powell, Joseph Gatt cut a stunning line to dot down for his second, this time Short converted.

Wing Tyler Williams was the next on the scoresheet, before Jordan Collier bundled over from close range for a score improved by Short.

Short wasn’t finished with that conversion, and scythed through the Quins midfield with a delicate show and go which Murphy converted.

With the clock almost in the red, Bridgend scored the try of the evening with soft hands and sumptuous offloads seeing Tyler Williams grab his second of the evening. Murphy drop goaled the conversion and although there was time left to play, the Ravens fumbled the ball with an overlap and another try beckoning before the referee blew for full time.

It was a useful workout for Tom Smith’s side who will look to carry their good form into Saturday’s Indigo Premiership opener with Aberavon away from home.