14 May Bridgend Ravens confirm player departures ahead of 2024/25

With the 2023/2024 season now over, Bridgend Ravens can confirm departures from the squad as preparations continue for the Elite Domestic Competition (EDC) which gets underway in September.

Hooker Gareth Harvey departs the club having played 131 times for Bridgend Ravens over six seasons. The talismanic front rower was a firm favourite amongst the Ravens faithful and picked up several Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season Awards during his time at the Dunraven Brewery Field. Kenfig Hill confirmed last week that Gareth has returned to the club for 2024/25.

Mike Powell announced his retirement from the game following the conclusion of the season. The wing played 151 matches for Bridgend Ravens over two spells, with the highlights of his time in blue and white coming when he was part of the squad which won the club’s third WRU National Cup in 2015 and being a firm fixture in the matchday squad of the team which ensured the club’s survival from relegation from the Premiership in 2018/19.

Scrum half Connor Tantum departs having made 101 appearances for the Ravens across two spells, scoring 19 tries. The dynamic half back made his debut in 2015 as part of the Ospreys Academy set up and went on to join Bridgend on a permanent basis. He featured prominently in Bridgend’s famous 2018/19 campaign where his game saving tackle against RGC at Dunraven Brewery Field effectively sealed victory for Bridgend, the start of a run of victories which came to define the club’s fate.

Centre Stuart Floyd Ellis made 115 appearances for Bridgend during his six seasons with the club but will move on at the end of the season. Floyd Ellis made his debut as a 19 year old, putting in a man of the match performance for Bridgend at Sardis Road and went on to become a key squad member over the next few seasons but heads elsewhere to play his rugby next season.

Back row Iestyn Merriman leaves the club having appeared 148 times for the Ravens across nine seasons. Originally a hooker, Merriman made the hugely successful switch to back row in 2020. The Bridgend Athletic product scored 12 tries during his time with the club but moves to pastures new for next season.

Second row Jack Pope is another set to leave. The Pencoed product enjoyed two spells at the club, returning from Pontypridd in 2022.  A successful graduate of Bridgend College’s rugby academy, Pope debuted for Bridgend in 2015 aged just 17 years old and departs the club having made 132 appearances for the Ravens.

Experienced loosehead prop Owen Jordan left the club earlier in the season, returning to his hometown club of Glynneath. Jordan made 100 appearances for Bridgend, with his 100th and final appearance coming in December at the Dunraven Brewery Field against Swansea.

Utility back Caine Woolerton is also embarking on a new adventure at the conclusion of the season. Woolerton first featured for Bridgend during his time with the Ospreys Academy, debuting in 2018. He went on to make 58 appearances for Bridgend, scoring 12 times in the process.

Having featured at scrum half and outside half during his time at the club, Paul Short departs having made 37 appearances, scoring two tries and scoring 93 points in total. The former Bryncethin and Heol y Cyw back picked up the Most Improved Player of the Season in 2022 but leaves following an injury ravaged campaign last year.

Dafi Davies marked his final game for Bridgend Ravens at home with a Man of the Match performance and will play his rugby elsewhere next season. The versatile back row turned out 82 times for Bridgend during his period at the club, after moving from Pontypridd in 2018.

Canadian international Jamin Hodgkins departs after a successful six month stint with Tom Smith’s side. He scored 75 points during his brief tenure with the club, proving an able deputy for the injured Luke Price at outside half.

Utility forward Hemi Barnes made 45 appearances over three seasons for the club and will also be departing the club at the end of the season. Equally adept in the second or back row, Barnes scored twice during his time with the club.

Prop Rhodri Apsee leaves Bridgend Ravens after 8 seasons with the club, making 100 appearances. The Bridgend Athletic product played across both sides of the scrum during his Ravens career and crossed for two tries.

Back row Aled Evans made 53 appearances for the club over four seasons and will also depart the club at the end of the season. Aled joined Bridgend in 2018 from Cardiff Met and despite a number of injury setbacks enjoyed a role as an important member of the club’s squad, including 17 appearances in the season that Bridgend secured their Premiership status in 2018/19.

Powerful No8 Reuben Tucker turned out 30 times for Bridgend Ravens over 3 seasons, scoring three tries in the process. The former Newport and Cardiff back row will play his rugby elsewhere next campaign.

Bridgend Ravens would like to thank everybody who is departing the club this summer and wish them the very best with their future endeavours. You’ll always be welcome back at the Dunraven Brewery Field!