13 Oct Team to face Pontypridd at Sardis Road

Bridgend Ravens make the trip to Sardis Road on Saturday to face Pontypridd in the Indigo Premiership (KO 1pm).

The Ravens have enjoyed an impressive start to 2023/24 with three victories from four games so far. League wins over Swansea and Carmarthen, along with a cup success against RGC at the Brewery Field has seen Tom Smith’s side occupy fifth place in the early league standings with a cup Quarter Final to look forward to against Swansea at St Helen’s on December 9th. Their last fixture was due to be a home clash against Merthyr but due to an injury crisis at the Ironmen, it was postponed. This has meant that Bridgend have not played since the RGC Cup match in September and are raring to get back to action on Saturday afternoon.

Pontypridd have endured a difficult start to their season and won their first game a fortnight ago, a tight fought win over Neath at the Gnoll by 23pts to 22. They are yet to win at home this season, including a cup defeat to Merthyr in their last match at home. 

Despite Ponty’s indifferent start to this season, they did win the league meeting between the sides at Sardis Road last season by 40pts to 8 – a game in which debutant Joseph Scrivens put in a Man of the Match performance to down the Ravens. A week earlier, Bridgend picked up a bonus point win at the same ground, beating Pontypridd 30pts to 26. Encounters between the teams are often high scoring, entertaining affairs and Saturday’s game promises more of the same.

For Saturday’s early kick off, Tom Smith makes a small number of changes to a largely settled squad. Full back Edd Howley is absent due to injury and is replaced by Caine Woolerton at 15. Mike Powell comes into the back three alongside Cameron Ellis. The midfield pairing is Tommy Morgan, facing his former club, and Stuart Floyd Ellis. Chris Williams makes his 199th club appearance, selected at scrum half with Luke Price his partner at half back.

The front row comprises Phil Price, Gareth Harvey and Matholwch Iorwerth Scott. Ben Thomas and Jack Pope are selected in the second row with a powerful back row of Zac O’Driscoll, Jordan Collier and Reuben Tucker.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Caine Woolerton 14. Mike Powell 13. Stuart Floyd Ellis 12. Tommy Morgan 11. Cameron Ellis 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams

1. Phil Price 2. Gareth Harvey 3. Matholwch Iorwerth Scott 4. Ben Thomas 5. Jack Pope 6. Jordan Collier 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Reuben Tucker

Replacements: 16. Evan Yardley 17. Owen Jordan 18. Liam Tobias 19. Dylan Burrows 20. Alfie Llewellyn 21. Callaghan Smith 22. Rhys Williams 23. Joseph Gatt