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Bridgend Just 80 Minutes From Glory

Bridgend are 80 minutes away from their first title in 23 years,and the Ravens can seal the 2002-03 Welsh Premiership with two games to spare if they turn over Neath at the Brewery Field tonight (kick-off 7.05pm).

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Bridgend have a five-point lead over Neath with three games left. The Welsh All Blacks have only two matches to play, so must win both of them and hope Bridgend lose all three of theirs.

“With three games to play, we’re obviously in the pole position,” Lewis said.

“Neath will be all guns blazing for this match. If they lose, it’s all over for them so it’s a cup final for them. They know they have to win – the pressure is entirely on them.

“Neath flew the flag for Wales in the Celtic League and I’ve got a lot of respect for them. They play with a lot of width and get a lot of quick ball, recycling it continuously. I’m sure it will be a battle royale at the Brewery Field.”

Both sides lose two players to Steve Hansen’s international camp – Gareth Thomas and Gareth Williams (Bridgend) and Gareth Llewellyn and Adam Jones (Neath).

“We’ve got a few bumps and bruises,” Lewis said. “Our hooker Andrew Joy has broken a bone in his hand and is out for the season, and that comes on the back of losing two props, Phil Booth and Christian Loader.”

Six Neath players – Brett Sinkinson (knee), Duncan Jones (facial injuries), Andrew Millward (back), Steve Tandy (groin), James Storey (rib) and Dave Tiueti (thigh) – are under an injury cloud.

Neath assistant coach Rowland Phillips said: “We have to try to salvage something from the season.

“We still have a small mathematical chance of winning the league, but it looks as though we are now in a battle for the runners-up spot, as realistically Bridgend now have a huge advantage.

“If we can register a double over the probable league winners, and be the only side to have beaten them in the league, we will at least get some satisfaction from the season.”

To seal the title tonight, Lewis’ Ravens will have to go against the record books – they’ve beaten Neath only three times in 25 League meetings.

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