BRIDGEND.......................43 LLANELLI.........................16

A HAT-TRICK of tries from Bridgend hooker Gareth Harvey fired the Ravens to a comprehensive win over Llanelli at the Brewery Field.

Bridgend were full value for the win with their forwards in complete control throughout, while Llanelli couldn’t cope with their power in the contact area.

Llanelli are rooted to the bottom of the Premiership Cup’s Western Conference and have lost all seven of their fixtures.

After a cagey opening 10 minutes, Bridgend claimed the game’s first try when wing Caine Woolerton touched down in the corner.

Then after a period of sustained pressure, tighthead prop Cai Lewis powered over from close range. Matthew Jones converted but Llanelli fought their way back into the game when fly-half Josh Phillips raced clear to score.

Ioan Hughes added the extras and kicked a penalty, but Bridgend’s pack held the upper hand with the pressure forcing Llanelli’s Jacob Lewis into the sin bin.

Bridgend wasted no time in taking advantage with Harvey powering over after a period of sustained pressure from the hosts.

Joe Gatt made the most of Bridgend’s numerical advantage to score after the hosts had worked an overlap, but Bridgend were soon down to 13 men when Aled Evans and Rhodri Apsee were sinbinned for killing the ball at the breakdown.

But Bridgend were dominant in the second half with lock Kieran Martin claiming the bonus point as he powered over as a result of a well-worked driving lineout.

Llanelli’s Dylan Lawley and Morgan McCrae were also yellowcarded for technical offences.

Bridgend’s driving lineout was a big strength and it allowed dynamic hooker Harvey to touch down.

Harvey was soon celebrating another try with another powerful carry.

And the Ravens sealed a comfortable win with a late try for Martin, who galloped over from 20 metres.