16 Oct Pontypridd 29-13 Bridgend
Posted at 10:09h
in 2023/24 Website News
Bridgend Ravens lost their first away game of the current campaign at Sardis Road on Saturday.
The Valley Commandos secured all five points in an afternoon that Bridgend will rue missed opportunities.
The Ravens lost captain Zac O’Driscoll in the warm up – his place taken by Alfie Llewellyn in the starting lineup with Iestyn Merriman coming onto the replacements bench.
There was injury woe for the visitors just minutes into the game when Reuben Tucker was forced from the field. Gareth Harvey also having to depart briefly with a cut to the head. Pontypridd took full advantage and hooker Rob Jones bagged a try converted by Josh Phillips.
Bridgend were forced into a further reshuffle when Caine Woolerton picked up a knock and was replaced by Rhys Williams after just 20 minutes. Two minutes later, Bridgend got on the board with a well struck penalty from Luke Price. However, the visitors were made to pay shortly after when Phillips punished Ravens indiscretion to add three points of his own and extend Pontypridd’s advantage.
The Ravens bounced back and after multiple phases, captain for the day Jordan Collier was able to squeeze his way over from close range for a try which Price converted.
It seemed as if the half would then fizzle out with the teams tied, but Pontypridd set up a sweeping counter attack from a loose Bridgend kick which was expertly finished by Pontypridd’s Man of the Match, Liam Lloyd. Phillips missed the extras and the home side held a five point lead at the break.
HT: Pontypridd 15-10 Bridgend
Evan Yardley came onto the field on a permanent basis in the second half following Gareth Harvey’s blood injury and within a few minutes, Luke Price added a second penalty to reduce the deficit further.
The home side sparked back into life just a minute later. Former Bridgend Ravens outside half Joseph Scrivens cut through the defensive line and fed another former Bridgend player in Harvey Nash to score. Phillips popped over the extras.
Unfortunately for Bridgend, Alfie Llewellyn was also forced to leave the field through injury and a makeshift Bridgend tried their best to fight back into the game. Pontypridd’s defence held out though and they got their reward late on when Liam Lloyd scored his second, and Pontypridd’s fourth try from a Scrivens cross field kick. Phillips nailed the conversion.
Bridgend are next in action when they face Cardiff at the Dunraven Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon (KO 2:30pm).