Second-half fightback key to Ravens’ victory
BRIDGEND RAVENS .. 29 CROSS KEYS ............... 16
AFTER the disappointment of last week’s opening day defeat by RGC 1404, Bridgend Ravens produced a stirriing second half comeback to beat Cross Keys at the Bridgendford Brewery Field.
There was nothing to choose between two evenly matched sides in the first half and the opening scoring was a penalty for the Ravens by outside half Joseph Scrivens cancelled out by one for Keys from full back Ethan Davies.
After 24 minutes, Keys mounted a sustained attack and spurned two kickable penalties and opted for scrums instead. The move paid off as they went through the phases and flanker Josh Skinner squeezed over for a try converted by Davies.
Keys continued to have the upper hand and Davies added a penalty as half time approached.
Then came the turning point as the Ravens stormed the Keys line and last season’s top try scorer, Ashton Evans, forced his way over for a try converted by Scrivens which made it 13-10 to Keys at half time.
When Davies stretched their lead with a 44th minute penalty, it didn’t look good for the Ravens.
But in the 52nd minute, Skinnere turned villain as he took out a Ravens lineout jumper in the air and was yellow carded. The Ravens made Keys pay by mounting some strong pressure of their oewn and lock Jack Pope claimed a close range try and Scrivens’ conversion nusged them in front.
That boosted confidence and from a lineout, Scrivens threw a miss pass and left winger Mike Powell drew the defence before finding full back Mark Bennett who raced away for a try. Scrivens fluffed the conversion but the Ravens now had some breathing space. Their defence gave nothing away and they wrapped up a well deserved victory four minuted before the emd.
A Keys player made a hash of a kick which went straight to replacement scrum half Chris Williams.
Williams sprinted down the touchline and as he was tackled, threw an inside pass to supporting winger Ryan Griffiths who raced clear to touch down under the posts and Sceivens added the extra points.
The Ravens were by no means the finished article but they were better at the breakdowns than against RGC 1404, the lineout was improved but their scrum creaked at times. Most of all, their defence was solid and they made fewer mistakes.
Next up is another Premiership match at Cardiff tomorrow (Thursday) night (ko 7.15pm).