The Ravens were handsomely defeated at the Talbot Athletic Ground on Saturday by 40-8. They will be keen to avenge the defeat when the Wizards come to town on tomorrow evening.
A full strength, experienced Aberavon side taught a young Ravens team a lesson in that clash and Bridgend will be desperate to show how much they have improved since the early season defeat at Aberavon by 34-6.
Bridgend will be looking to intensify preparations ahead of the vital Principality Premiership league clash against Llanelli on Boxing Day. Bridgend sit just two points behind the Scarlets in the league standings and know a win would set them up for a climb up the league standings.
Bridgend go again with a mix of youth and first teamers as they look to right the wrongs of Saturday afternoon. In the backs, fliers Ryan Griffiths and Mike Powell return to partner the evergreen Marc Bennett in the back three. Changes in the pack include the fit again Ashton Evans joining 17 year old Jack Pope in the second row.
Nicky Boyce comes in at loose head and captain Zac is back in from the start. On the bench, Jon Kenny is fit again and Paul Edwards could make his Bridgend debut on permit from Rhigos.
The Wizards have enjoyed developing many youngsters all season through the Principality Premiership including season regulars Cameron Clement [aged 23], Joe Tomlin-Reeves [22], Rob Dudley-Jones [21], David Evans [23] and Matthew Jenkins [22]. These players all enjoy regular rugby with the Wizards at still such a young age.
This season the Wizards identified youngsters within the Port Talbot and surrounding areas that could step up to the mark at Premiership level, and the players have fully responded.
The full front row of Mike Burgess [19], Luke Davies [20] and Rhys Forse [19] have been enjoying playing in the Fosters Challenge Cup. They all started against Premiership champions Pontypridd last week and fully held their own impressing all spectators.
Loose head prop Burgess said, “Playing at this level has been amazing and I have loved the step up. Although, I have not found the step up harder, it is just a different challenge”.
Fellow front rower Luke Davies, who celebrated his 20th birthday this week added, “I have gained a lot of confidence playing in the previous two games against Pontypridd and Bridgend, hopefully I can keep improving my game giving good performances and getting more game time in the Premiership”.
Between the three front rowers of Burgess, Davies and Forse, they have only made 11 starts between them and they hope to increase this amount.
Other youngsters amongst the team are No 8 Jacob Blackmore [19], wing Aaron Grabham [20] and scrum half Jacob Flynn [20]. Similar to the young front row, these three players between them have only made six starts for the Wizards, they too are eager to get more by pushing senior and more experience players for starting places.
Blackmore stated, “I have found these games challenging yet exciting to be part of. This level is a step up from what I am used to, but I am gaining a lot from playing and am learning from the established players around me. It is just a pleasure to play for such a great club.”
The Wizards thrive on developing youngsters and giving youngsters opportunity. Head coach Jason Hyatt and his team have recruited well over the summer and concentrated on developing strength in-depth with a focus on nurturing local players.
Aberavon: Jonathan Phillips; Richard Carter, Matthew Jenkins, David Evans, Aaron Grabham; Cameron Clement, Jacob Flynn; Mike Burgess, Luke Davies, Rhys Forse, Ian Moore (capt), Ben Davies, Rob Dudley-Jones, Jacob Blackmore, Joe Tomlin-Reeves.
Replacements: Dan Davies, Stef Williams, Nathan Brown, Chris Williams, Sam Williams, Jon Thomas, Gareth Harvey, Rowan Jenkins.
Bridgend: 15. Marc Bennett 14. Ryan Griffiths 13. Ryan Evans 12. Joseph Gatt 11. Mike Powell 10. Joseph Scrivens 9. Will Baird; 1. Nicky Boyce 2. Iestyn Merriman 3. Daniel Matthews 4. Jack Pope 5. Ashton Evans 6. Scott Davies 7. Zac O’Driscoll 8. Matthew John
Replacements – Cameron Thomas, Lewis Francis, Teifion Jones, Dewi Parry, Jon Kenny, Geraint Watkin, Morgan Jones & Paul Edwards
