22 Jan BRIDGEND 15-13 PONTYPRIDD

Bridgend Ravens defeated Pontypridd at the Dunraven Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon on a day that the club paid tribute to JPR Williams.

A bumper crowd of 2,108 was in attendance as the club held a number of tributes to one of their greatest ever servants prior to the match.

The game itself was a closely fought affair between two evenly matched sides that wasn’t decided until the last whistle.

Bridgend started the better side, but it was Pontypridd that took the lead with Josh Phillips converting an eleventh minute penalty.

The Ravens continued to press and some enterprising open field play saw Edd Howley make a nice break. The ball was released to Chris Williams who got the ball away for a score touched down by Evan Yardley. Referee Rhys Jones awarded the score but was overruled by his assistant who adjudged that the ball had been lost in the build up.

The home side wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as Jamin Hodgkins kicked three points minutes later.

With the first half approaching the half way point, Bridgend were penalised for a high tackle and Phillips made no mistake in giving Pontypridd the advantage.

The rest of the half was a tame affair but Bridgend dug in and Hodgkins was able to level the scores with a penalty of the stroke of half time.

HT Bridgend 6-6 Pontypridd 

Energised by a strong home crowd, Bridgend started the second half in fine form as Hodgkins kicked two early penalties to give them a lead that they wouldn’t surrender for the rest of the game.

Pontypridd tried and tried to break down a resolute home defence but Bridgend were next to score. After Alfie Llewellyn was held up, Bridgend continued to mount pressure and earned a penalty just inside the Pontypridd 22. Paul Short, making his first appearance since returning from injury, made no mistake to give Bridgend a nine point advantage.

The game was far from over though. Replacement Kyan Lewis set up a grandstand finish by scoring a try converted by Joseph Scrivens with five minutes to go and from the restart, Pontypridd set about getting another score to take victory.

It seemed that the home side had done enough with the clock red. Pontypridd’s final foray into the Bridgend’s 22 saw them knock the ball on with the scrum set to be the final act of the match. However, the Pontypridd pack put on a powerful surge and earned a penalty in a kickable position.

Former Bridgend outside half Joseph Scrivens had the opportunity to snatch victory but his kick slipped wide and Rhys Jones’ whistle followed shortly after to seal victory for Tom Smith’s side to spark wild celebrations amongst the home crowd.

The Ravens are next in action with a trip to Cardiff Arms Park next Saturday (2:30pm).