29 Dec Bridgend 15-18 Aberavon

​Bridgend Ravens lost out in a tight fought Boxing Day Derby at the Dunraven Brewery Field against Aberavon by 18pts to 15.

Outside Half Luke Price was in inspired form from the tee, landing five penalty.shots from five attempts, but a late Luke Davies try for the visitors was enough for them to take victory.

It was a cagey opening forty minutes played in front of a healthy festive crowd. Aled Thomas opened the scoring after 2 minutes before Price replied moments later with 3pts of his own. The only real action of the first half saw Wizards prop, Rowan Jenkins, yellow carded for what appeared to be an off the ball incident.

Despite the best attempts of the Bridgend forwards, Aberavon held out for the duration of Jenkins’ yellow card before Price bagged another three points to put Bridgend ahead.

As the clock edged into the red, a fluffed Bridgend clearance saw Aberavon win a penalty which Thomas dispatched to level the scores.

HT Bridgend 6-6 Aberavon

Price wasted little time restoring the home side’s advantage with a further three points in the early knockings of the second half. The tie remained a tight and cagey one, until a loose pass found its way into the hands of Aberavon wideman Jay Baker to bundle over in the corner for an uncovered score.

The Ravens didn’t let the try deflate them and were soon back ahead with two well struck Price penalties to the delight of the sizable home crowd.

There was a further twist though, as Aberavon’s forward power helped Luke Davies score what turned out to be the match winner from a strong forwards drive. Substitute Banfield kicked the conversion.

Back came Bridgend, but some smart defending from the Wizards saw them do just enough to hold out for victory by the narrowest of margins.

Bridgend will be looking to take the momentum from the Boxing Day performance as they look for an improved second half of the season, starting with a trip to bottom side Carmarthen Quins on January 7th.