20 Oct TEAM TO FACE CARDIFF AT THE BREWERY

Posted at 10:09h in 2023/24 Website News by

Bridgend Ravens welcome Cardiff to the Dunraven Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon for an Indigo Premiership clash (2:30pm). 

It’s set to be a landmark day for scrum half Chris Williams who makes his 200th appearance for Bridgend Ravens. Chris first joined in 2012 and was part of the squad that won the SWALEC Cup in 2015 and the squad that sealed Bridgend’s top flight status in 2019. He becomes the first player in the semi professional era to hit the milestone appearance for Bridgend – ironically against his former club Cardiff.

The Ravens are looking to bounce back following Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Pontypridd at Sardis Road. Bridgend will rue a host of missed opportunities in that match as the Valley Commandos picked up all five points. Otherwise, it’s been a pretty promising start to 2023/24 for Tom Smith’s side with two league victories and a cup success over RGC.

Last season’s cup winners and league runners up Cardiff have enjoyed a decent start to their season too. They have two wins, two defeats and a draw from their opening five league matches, with the latest game being a comfortable 49pts to 28 win over Neath at Cardiff Arms Park.

In the corresponding fixture last season, it was Cardiff that came away with a bonus point win at Dunraven Brewery Field. Former Raven Dewi Cross bagged a hattrick in a 43pts to 16 win.

Bridgend suffered a number of injuries at Sardis Road last weekend and have seven changes to the matchday squad this time around. Edd Howley returns to full fitness to take his place at full back with Stuart Floyd Ellis and Mike Powell joining him in the back three. There’s a new centre partnership as Tom Morgan and Rhys Williams are selected.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Stuart Floyd Ellis 13. Tommy Morgan 12. Rhys Williams 11. Mike Powell 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Evan Yardley 3. Matholwch Iorwerth Scott 4. Bradley Davies 5. Ben Thomas 6. Alfie Llewellyn 7. Zac O’Driscoll (capt) 8. Jordan Collier

Replacements: 16. Connah Vaughan 17. Alex George 18. Liam Tobias 19. Dylan Burrows 20. Iestyn Merriman 21. Callaghan Smith 22. Joseph Gatt 23. Jakob Williams