PREMIERSHIP

BEDWAS ....................... 41 BRIDGEND RAVENS .. 14

BRIDGE Field has rarely been a happy hunting ground for Bridgend Ravens and in this early kick off before the Ireland v Wales game they were comprehensively outplayed.

Bedwas ran in seven tries to the Ravens’ two, condemning Bridgend to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

Despite being outscored by three tries to one in the first half, Bridgend remained within 10 points, hopeful of a second half fightback.

The hosts raced into a 12-point lead with just 12 minutes played, tries from Mike Hathaway and Craig Hudd with one conversion from Steffan Jones saw Bedwas in control early on.

Bridgend lost Aaron Grabham to the sin bin but the 14 men upped their game and managed to find their first score of the match. Jamie Murphy found a gap in the Bedwas defence and Bridgend edged their way toward the line. Chris Williams went close on his 100th Ravens appearance before Joseph Scrivens, thrust into the starting full back role due to injury, dived over.

Ryan Evans converted to narrow the gap to five.

Bridgend played themselves into trouble just before the half-hour mark, and Bedwas capitalised. Tom Rowlands added the hosts’ third try following a concerted attack helped by indiscipline from the visitors.

Aaron Grabham did touch down late in the half for Bridgend however the referee adjudged the final pass to be forward leaving a seven-point margin between the teams at the break.

A further four tries from the hosts left a hefty scoreline, though Bedwas should have scored more tries as handling errors with the line at their mercy occurred on multiple occasions.

Bedwas bagged their first try of the second half with little over a minute played.

Bridgend managed to hold out until the hour mark arrived before Bedwas added to their tally.

The final quarter saw Bedwas run in three tries with Bridgend only managing one in reply.

Tries from Pat Lewis, Gareth Allen, two from Matthew John plus two conversions brought up 40 points for the hosts.

Iestyn Merriman managed to finish a Bridgend driving maul with a try, however it was no more than a consolation score.