Ravens grounded as Grabham strikes once more

NEATH brought Bridgend back down to earth with a humbling defeat at The Gnoll.

The Ravens had won five of their last six games but ran into a Neath side hellbent on claiming only a third win of the season.

Bridgend looked to be carrying on their recent good form when they took the lead through Joseph Scrivens’ penalty, only for Neath to level with Ed Howley’s monster kick from 48 metres.

And the Welsh All Blacks went in front through the familiar figure of wing Aaron Grabham, the Principality’s top scorer, who bagged his 12th try of the campaign.

Scrivens narrowed the gap with a second then regained the lead, 11-10, when Ryan Griffiths scored his third try in three matches before half-time.

But Neath came out firing in the second-half when a trip by Bridgend’s centre Jamie Murphy allowed Howley to successfully kick his second penalty of the game.

And referee Dai Cambourne awarded the home side a penalty try after Bridgend had conceded five consecutive penalties on their own try-line.

Howley’s conversation made it 20-11, but Scrivens’ third penalty of the game provided a nervy ending.

However, with Bridgend going all out on the attack, Neath’s last-minute penalty, converted by Howley, ended the contest.

The win puts Neath eight points clear of the bottom two.