Bridgend have won one of their two Challenge Cup matches this season.
In their first game they lost 10-16 at home to Cardiff. They led 10-8 at the break thanks to a try by centre Marc Bennett, converted by outside half Liam Jones. Cardiff hit back with a try and penalty before Jones kicked a penalty to give the Ravens the lead. Cardiff scored a converted try early in the second half, and despite Bridgend putting a lot of pressure on Cardiff, the visitors held out for the win.
A week later the Ravens beat Pontypridd 14-8 at Sardis Road – their second win over Ponty in a fortnight after winning at the Brewery Field in the Premiership two weeks beforehand. It was also the Ravens fourth win in five matches against the Premiership Champions throughout 2015.
The first half was a low scoring affair as Ponty led 2-0 at the break via a penalty. It took until the hour mark for the next score to come when the homeside scored a try wide out to give them an 8-0 lead as the game entered the last quarter.
Five minutes later Bridgend got on the score board when replacement Nicky Boyce went over from a maul with outside half Joseph Scrivens adding the extras to tie the game. Ponty came back to try and get a winning score, but a loose pass was gathered by Ravens wing Ryan Griffiths who sprinted clear to score wide out. Late in the game Bridgend’s defence kept Ponty from scoring to give the Ravens their first win at Sardis Road in nine years.
Bridgend are currently eleventh in the Principality Premiership, 19 points below fifth placed Aberavon. The Ravens have won four of their 12 league games with their wins coming in a four game winning streak starting in the middle of October as they beat Neath (34-20), Cardiff (22-14), Bedwas (16-14) and then Pontypridd (30-12).
The Ravens are currently in second in their Pool, behind Cardiff who defeated them in round one (at the BFBF 10-16).
The sides have faced off once already this season and it was a comprehensive win for the Wizards in the Talbot Athletic Ground sunshine. Bridgend took an early lead, with a try from Scott Hicks but some poor defending saw Aberavon score twice before the interval to snatch the initiative from Bridgend.
The Ravens struggled to claw their way back into the encounter from then on in and a late James Garland try secured the bonus point for the then unbeaten home side.
The conditions will certainly be different come Saturday afternoon and the Ravens will be looking for a different result as they look to progress in the Foster’s Challenge Cup.
Whilst Aberavon will be hosting Bridgend on Saturday, the other Pool 2 game between Pontypridd and Cardiff takes place at Sardis Road.
