Experience a factor as Jones kicks Ravens home

FORMER Wales international Matthew Jones helped Bridgend to a significant victory over Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets.

With the scores tied at 18-18 with 12 minutes remaining, up stepped the former Ospreys playmaker to land a difficult penalty from which the hosts never recovered.

Jones is a player-coach at Bridgend and his influence was obvious as Bridgend looked comfortable behind the scrum.

“I feel as if I’ve acquired a lot of coaching experience from my time at Pontypool and then Neath, which aided development,” said Jones.

“It’s great to be back at Bridgend, which is my hometown club, and I’m glad to be contributing to them in a positive way.

“The boys worked very hard in pre-season and we want to play an expansive brand of rugby.”

Llanelli opened the scoring when hooker Morgan Mccrae touched down from close range, and he claimed another try after half an hour with the home pack in control.

But Bridgend hit back immediately, with Lee Murphy racing clear to score.

Mccrae was yellow-carded for killing the ball at the breakdown, but the hosts still held a 10-5 lead at half-time.

The Ravens began the second half strongly, with Tom Florence showing his pace to score. Jones and Josh Phillips exchanged penalties before Ioan Hughes scored a cracking try for Llanelli.

Bridgend refused to throw in the towel, with their forwards taking the game to the hosts as they applied severe pressure in the closing stages.

And Llanelli struggled to cope with this pressure, which resulted in Elis Hopkins getting sent to the sin-bin for another breakdown offence.

Up stepped Jones to put Bridgend into the lead, with Llanelli unable to find a way back into the game.

LLANELLI Tries: Mccrae (2), Hughes. Pen: Phillips.

BRIDGEND  Tries: Murphy, Florence. Con: Jones. Pens: Jones (3).