16 Aug BRIDGEND BOLSTER SQUAD WITH NEW ADDITIONS

Bridgend Ravens have bolstered their squad with a number of additions ahead of the commencement of pre-season action this Saturday afternoon at Bournville.

It’s been a summer of change for the club, with new Head Coach Scott Baldwin seeing fifteen players depart at the conclusion of the season. There has been a raft of new faces announced since as Bridgend continue to prepare for the challenges of the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru campaign.

Back three flyer Jake Thomas has penned terms to ply his trade with Bridgend for 2024/25. Despite his tender age, Thomas comes to Bridgend with an impressive track record having previously turned out for Cardiff Met RFC and appeared for Cardiff RFC. The former Cardiff Rugby Academy back has also appeared for Wales at u18 and 7s levels.

Following his signing, Jake said “I’m extremely excited and pleased to have signed with Bridgend for the coming season. I’ve enjoyed a tough pre-season, working with quality players and coaches. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve this year as a team and developing my personal game.” 

Second row Joe Buckle makes the move to Bridgend Ravens from Llanharan. Buckle played his junior rugby at Pontyclun up until Youth, also featuring for Glantaf at Sixth Form and was part of Llanharan’s treble winning squad last season.

Joe was pleased to take the next step in his rugby development by joining Bridgend, saying “It has been a long but rewarding pre-season and I’m looking forward to testing myself in the new Super Rygbi Cymru league. 

Prop Marley Lovell joins from Rumney, adding to the club’s strength in depth at tighthead. He will provide competition for Liam Tobias and Matholwch Iorwerth Scott as Bridgend look to be competitive on all fronts this season. A strong scrummager, very good at the set-piece, he’s also seen as a destructive ball carrier. Currently a part time coach at Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC), he has previously worked alongside incoming Assistant Coach Matthew Morgan, where they have been helping to develop the next generation of players.

Having joined up with Bridgend, Marley said “I’m really excited to be joining Bridgend, it’s a club with great history and it’s an exciting time to be joining with the new league. Pre season training has been going well and I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing with the boys.”

A familiar face returning to the club for 2024/25 is back rower, Travis Huntley. Travis spent part of last season at Aberavon RFC, whilst also turning out for Maesteg Quins. He’s previously made 24 appearances for Bridgend, scoring once.

After sealing his return, Travis said “It has been great to be back at Bridgend during pre-season and I can’t wait for the new season to start. There is a really strong squad at the club, especially in the back-row and that competition will get the best out of me as I look to kick on personally this season.” 

Head Coach, Scott Baldwin, was pleased to add further depth to his squad with the on field action of pre-season set to commence in just a few days time. “We know that to stay competitive in Super Rygbi Cymru we will need to build a deep squad, ready for a tough match day every week across all of the SRC Competitions. The signings of Jake, Joe, Marley and Travis reinforce our options across all of the positions and they have had a really positive impact on the environment to date.”