Ravens soar to finally end their losing streak
LLANELLI .................... 21 BRIDGEND RAVENS .. 28
BRIDGEND Ravens ended a nine-match losing streak in the Premiership with their first ever victory at Parc y Scarlets.
A powerful Llanelli side looked to play to their strengths with an early maul drive that led to a try for Scarlet Jack Condy. Dion Jones added the conversion for a seven point lead with just three minutes played.
A tight 20 minutes passed before Bridgend got on the scoresheet. A maul drive of their own was finished by Iestyn Merriman but the missed conversion left a two point gap between the sides.
With the clock ticking towards half time, Chris Williams edged the Ravens into a slim three point lead following a breakaway try. Llanelli’s loose play handed possession to scrum half Williams who had the pace to finish in the corner. Joseph Scrivens’ touchline conversion attempt rebounded off the upright.
Llanelli came back with a second try as the clock hit the red. Another powerful forward drive, this time from a scrum was eventually finished off by another Scarlet, Rhys Fawcett. Jones’s conversion made it 14-10 at the interval.
Joseph Scrivens closed the gap to just one poinr five minutes into the second half with a successful penalty but the hosts stretched their advantage again through the power of their forwards. Former Raven Greg George bundled over after some heavy carries from the Llanelli pack. A third successful conversion for Jones gave Llanelli an eight point lead.
It didn’t take long for Bridgend to respond. The visitors seemed to be beginning to get parity up front with Support- ers Man-of-the-Match Cai Lewis shoring up the scrum. Ashton Evans, as he did so often last season, burst over from close range for Bridgend’s third try of the afternoon. A third tough touchline conversion was sent wide by Joseph Scrivens leaving a three point gap between the sides.
Scrivens hit his mark five minutes later with a penalty to level the scoreline. A determined Ravens team were in the ascendancy and went in search of a bonus point try.
Patient in attack, Bridgend found themselves a metre out hammering at the Llanelli line. With a seemingly impenetrable defensive line, the Ravens shipped the ball wide where Garin Lougher was able to shove his way over to guarantee Bridgend a point. Scrivens’ successful conversion left a seven point gap with 10 minutes to play.
Llanelli had a great chance to level the score late on with multiple forward drives close to the Ravens line. A maul drive was well held by Bridgend but successive strong scrums, five metres out, saw Eddie Drake shown a yellow card just five minutes after coming on. Llanelli had the line at their mercy but lost the ball for- ward and Bridgend managed to clear to secure an important first Principality Premiership Tier 2 win.