20 Jan Team to face Merthyr

Posted at 07:16h in 2022/23 Website News by

The Wern plays host to Bridgend Ravens’ next Indigo Premiership match, when they face Merthyr on Saturday afternoon (2:30pm). 

Bridgend have two wins from two in 2023 and will be buoyed by an improvement in performances and results of late. Last weekend’s hard fought victory over Pontypridd at the Dunraven Brewery Field backed up the Ravens victory at Carmarthen the weekend before.

However, the trip to Merthyr represents a real challenge for the Ravens, who haven’t won at the ground since the game went semi pro in competitive action. Despite this, they did win an August pre-season meeting between the sides thanks to a Stuart Floyd Ellis try, earning them a 26pts to 24 win.

Merthyr are challenging at the top end once again under new Head Coach Rowland Phillips. They picked up an impressive 26pts to 16 win last Thursday at Llandovery and will be keen to keep the pressure on Cardiff and Aberavon at the top of the table.

Aside from the pre-season meeting between Bridgend and Merthyr, they have already faced one another in the Indigo Premiership in September. The Ironmen were winners before the S4C Clic cameras, winning 34pts to 10 following a storming second half performance. Bridgend had led early on courtesy of an Evan Yardley try, but Merthyr pipped ahead before the break and were relentless in the second period to secure a comprehensive success.

Tom Smith takes the opportunity to give his wider squad game time this weekend, making 12 changes in total to members of the starting XV.

Stuart Floyd Ellis and Chris Williams are the only survivors amongst the backs, with Harry Olding also retaining his starting berth – albeit in the changed position of the second row

Gareth Harvey is set to make his 100th Bridgend Ravens appearance should he come off the replacements bench.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Tyler Williams 14. Mike Powell 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Joseph Gatt 11. Ryan Edwards 10. Paul Short 9. Chris Williams

1. Owen Jordan 2. Lee Murphy 3. Curtis Hicks 4. Harry Olding 5. Hemi Barnes 6. Dafi Davies 7. Iestyn Merriman 8. Aled Evans

Replacements: 16. Gareth Harvey 17. Rhodri Apsee 18. Liam Tobias 19. Ben Thomas 20. Jordan Collier 21. Dylan Davies 22. Luke Price 23. Edd Howley