11 Apr Llanelli 12-47 Bridgend Ravens

Bridgend Ravens ran in seven tries downing a struggling Llanelli side at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts had much of the first half possession but struggled to finish after breaking through the Ravens defence multiple times. Bridgend struck first against the run of play with a set play from the lineout just outside the hosts’ 22. Mike Powell was set free in to the 22 where wings combined to get Iwan Griffith over the line. Price landed the extras for a 7pts to 0 lead 13 minutes in.

Llanelli struck back, playing with plenty of enterprise, it was the grunt upfront that found the score. A strong maul effort saw Tom Phillips barge over. The conversion was sent wide.

Hitting back immediately, Edd Howley launched a counter from a loose clearance kick. Reuben Tucker carried hard and Bridgend sent the ball wide. Iwan Griffith broke into the 22 finding Chris Williams in support, the scrum half found fly half and Luke Price touched down. The exceptional Price improved his own try with the conversion.

Evan Yardley bagged a third try of the afternoon for the Ravens as their Maul effort established itself as a huge threat, yielding big points in the second half on top of Yardley’s first half effort. Price landed and excellent conversion from the touchline to see Bridgend head in with a 16 point halftime lead.

HT Llanelli RFC 5-21 Bridgend Ravens

Llanelli started the second half with a second try, catching Bridgend cold, Joe Hutchings touched down, with Harri Williams adding the conversion.

Bridgend struck back instantaneously once again, the silky footwork of Edd Howley saw the impressive fullback tiptoe down the touchline and score his side’s bonus point try out wide. Luke Price nailed the touchline conversion.

Bridgend’s replacements helped the Ravens dominate the remainder of the match. Scrum dominance handed the perfect platform for the back to run off. Penalties kicked to the corner saw monster maul efforts adding two tries to the tally with Gareth Harvey touching down twice as the pack drove over.

A Llanelli overthrow close to their own line handed Bridgend a late chance for another score and up stepped Gareth Harvey with a strong carry to crash over for his hattrick.

Bridgend bounced back from consecutive defeats with a convincing victory over the struggling Scarlets outfit. A busy April for Bridgend sees them visit Newport and Swansea, contesting three away games in a week, before rounding out the season with the visit of Swansea to the Dunraven Brewery Field a week later.