24 Nov TEAM TO FACE PONTYPOOL AT THE BREWERY

Bridgend Ravens are at home again this Saturday when high flying Pontypool visit the Dunraven Brewery Field (2:30pm). 

The Ravens come into the game in decent form having won their previous two matches; a 26pts to 19 win at the Gnoll against Neath and a hard fought 14pts to 10 home success over RGC last Saturday.

Pontypool have made a sparkling return to the Indigo Premiership and currently sit in the playoff places having won 8 of their opening 10 league games. Their last outing saw them edge out their fellow newly promoted side, Neath at Pontypool Park by 24pts to 12.

The sides have not met in the top flight for some time, but Pontypool won the previous match between them in the 2019 Welsh National Cup by 21pts to 11 after extra time. Their last meeting in the Premiership at the Brewery was back in December 2011, when the visitors were 27pts to 19 victors.

For Saturday’s game, Tom Smith makes four changes to the side which beat RGC last weekend. Luke Price is the only change in the backs, replacing Paul Short who drops to the bench.

Amongst the forwards, Gareth Harvey switches places with Evan Yardley to take the starting berth. Bradley Davies and Ben Thomas are also fresh faces into the second row, with the rest of the pack unchanged.

It’s a 6/2 split on the bench for Bridgend who go in search of a third consecutive league victory for the first time this campaign.

Bridgend Ravens XV: 15. Edd Howley 14. Stuart Floyd Ellis 13. Joseph Gatt 12. Tommy Morgan 11. Cameron Ellis 10. Luke Price 9. Chris Williams

1. Harry Olding 2. Gareth Harvey 3. Matholwch Iorwerth Scott 4. Ben Thomas 5. Bradley Davies 6. Iestyn Merriman 7. Zac O’Driscoll (captain) 8. Jordan Collier

Replacements: 16. Evan Yardley 17. Alex George 18. Liam Tobias 19. Jack Pope 20. Hemi Barnes 21. Alfie Llewellyn 22. Connor Tantum 23. Paul Short