22 Apr Bridgend 24-15 Swansea

Bridgend Ravens finished the 2022/23 season with a professional victory over Swansea at the Dunraven Brewery Field. 

After a late defeat against the same opponents last weekend, Bridgend were out for revenge and after a slow start, bagged first half tries from Stuart Floyd Ellis and Edd Howley to take a ten point lead into half time. Despite the visitors best attempts at a second half comeback, the Ravens were just too strong and a late Gareth Harvey try secured all four points, and eighth place in the Indigo Premiership for Tom Smith’s side.

Swansea started the more confident side and crossed for an early score from debutant wing Iestyn Galton. James Davies landed a tough conversion from the right hand touchline. The All Whites continued on top for the remainder of the opening exchanges but a horrible loose pass from former Osprey Hanno Dirksen was snapped up by a grateful Stuart Floyd Ellis who bagged Bridgend’s first try of the afternoon. Luke Price converted.

The second quarter was an error strewn period but Bridgend’s superb defence comfortably kept Swansea out. Bridgend were next to add to their score with a well struck Price penalty with ten minutes of the first period remaining.

With the clock in the red, Bridgend upped the tempo and Edd Howley went on a solo run to dot down for a try. Price again slotted the extras as Bridgend headed into half time ten points ahead.

HT Bridgend 17-7 Swansea

Bridgend came out firing in the second half and their pressure saw Hanno Dirksen sent to the bin. The Ravens failed to make their visitors pay for their repeated indiscretion though as Matthew Jenkins was next to add to the scoreboard for Swansea. Moments later, James Davies added three more to his side’s score and the Whites had their tails up heading into the final quarter.

The Ravens reacted in familiar fashion by digging in deep and were able to stem a wave of attacks from their confident visitors. With the game heading into the closing exchanges, Swansea’s prop Cameron Jones was yellow carded and from the resulting lineout Reuben Tucker crossed to seal victory. Luke Price, superb from the tee all afternoon, landed a tricky conversion.

The final moments saw no further score as Bridgend threw everything at their visitors to try and pick up a try scoring bonus point. Swansea knocked on with the final play to draw the curtain on a successful 2022/23 for Bridgend Ravens.