13 Jan Team to face Pontypridd at the Brewery

Bridgend Ravens welcome Pontypridd to the Dunraven Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon in the Indigo Premiership (2:30pm). 

Bridgend come into the game on the back of an encouraging 22pts to 14 victory at Carmarthen Quins last weekend. It was Bridgend’s second league win of the season and with games in hand on those near them in the table, they’ll look to kick on for an improved second half of the campaign.

Pontypridd’s last outing saw a home reverse to Llandovery by 23pts to 12. They have played 11 games so far in the Indigo Premiership and have two wins to their name. They progressed from Pool B in the Premiership Cup and are through to the semi final stage.

The sides have already met twice this campaign, with one win each to their name. Bridgend won the first meeting by 30pts to 26 despite a late Pontypridd comeback, before the Valley Commandos avenged defeat a week later winning 40pts to 8.

Tom Smith makes a few changes to last week’s squad. It’s all change in midfield with Stuart Floyd Ellis and Rhys Williams coming into the side. There’s one further change where Iwan Griffith replaces Ryan Edwards on the left wing.

It’s an unchanged pack as Bridgend go in search of back to back league wins for the first time since April.

Bridgend XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Caine Woolerton 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Rhys Williams 11. Iwan Griffith 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Gareth Harvey 3. Liam Tobias 4. Ben Thomas 5. Jack Pope 6. Jordan Collier 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Reuben Tucker

Replacements: 16. Lee Murphy 17. Owen Jordan 18. Curtis Hicks 19. Hemi Barnes 20. Iestyn Merriman 21. Paul Short 22. Joseph Gatt 23. Tyler Williams