27 Nov BRIDGEND 27-23 PONTYPOOL

Bridgend Ravens claimed an impressive victory over high flying Pontypool as the newly promoted side took on the Ravens at the Dunraven Brewery Field for the first time since 2011.

Bridgend raced into an early lead. Returning a loose kick, Edd Howley launched the counter attack. Cameron Ellis raced down the wing finding Luke Price in support. Bridgend won a penalty 5 metres out and Price acted before the Pooler defence was set to tap and send Zac O’Driscoll crashing over. Luke Price added the extras for a seven point lead.

Matthew Jarvis added a penalty with 10 minutes played before Bridgend struck for another excellent score.

Bridgend claimed the resulting kick off following Poolers penalty, and they spread the ball wide finding Cameron Ellis in space again. Pontypool scrambled well stopping Ellis just short. Quick recycling found Luke Price, who’s soft hands found Tommy Morgan on the short ball and the centre crashed through the attempted tackles to round under the posts for the try. Luke Price again added the conversion to hand Bridgend a healthy 11 point lead with 12 minutes on the clock.

Bridgend errors allowed Pooler to claw their way back, a loose ball deep in the Bridgend half was gathered by Price but his clearance effort was charged down, allowing young Dragons scrum half Morgan Lloyd to touch down for the visitors’ opening try. Jarvis landed the conversion to narrow the gap to four points.

Matthew Jarvis added another three from the tee to see just a point separate the sides with half an hour played.

Bridgend then struck for the try of the game. A scrum on halfway held firm and the Ravens spread the ball to the centres. Joseph Gatt broke thanks to Stuart Floyd Ellis’ short ball, sending Gatt through the Pooler defence. Gatt had Tommy Morgan in support but Morgan was caught just metres from the line. Heads up play saw Morgan find Chris Williams in support, the scrum half jiggled but held on to touch down for a sublime team try. Luke Price was accurate from the tee once again.

It didn’t take Pooler long to strike back. Spurred on by excellent travelling support, a loose Ravens kick was run back with interest by Amosa Nove. Wings combined and Nove found Marcus Jones who dotted down. Jarvis added the conversion to bring the scores to within a point at half time.

HT Bridgend Ravens 21-20 Pontypool RFC

A clichéd game of two halves played out. One half of five tries, the other of none – but it remained a game of high quality. The defences of both teams stepped up in the second half and the only points on offer were from the tee.

Luke Price added three with 7 minutes of the second half played. Pontypool had the best opportunity for a try in the second half with sustained pressure but the immense Ravens defence held firm.

Price landed three more as the final 10 minutes approached to extend Bridgend’s lead. With time running out, Matthew Jarvis added his side’s only score of the second half with a penalty late into the game, and Bridgend held out the late Pooler attacks to secure victory.

The Ravens have a ‘bye’ in the Indigo Premiership this coming weekend, before they travel to St Helen’s to face Swansea in the Quarter Final of the Indigo Premiership Cup on Saturday 9th December (KO 2:30pm).