Bridgend leap Aberavon in table with narrow win

BRIDGEND finished their campaign with a narrow victory at Aberavon at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

The game opened with Bridgend attacking strongly and after Ryan Evans missed a penalty, they took the lead after 17 minutes when centre Stuart FloydEllis cut a fine angle to run clear and Ryan Evans converted.

It took Aberavon only three minutes to reply when their Wales under-18 winger Frankie Jones tore away and scrum half Jacob Flynn fly-hacked the inside pass and won the race to the line for Chris Banfield to convert.

Bridgend leapt back and four minutes on strong pressure led to prop Cai Lewis crashing over with Evans again converting to make it 14-7 at half-time.

Aberavon improved after the break and after Banfield missed a penalty it was flanker Rob DudleyJones who broke after Bridgend were pushed off the ball and replacement Stef Williams converted.

Both sides lost a player to the sin-bin and tensions mounted as the minutes ticked away, then, second after Evans had failed with a penalty, Jamie Murphy took over and hit a fine effort that creptover via the cross-bar.

Aberavon renewed their efforts to get at least an equalising score, but Bridgend not only won, but jumped over Aberavon in the table and only a bonuspoint win at champions Merthyr on Tuesday can move the Wizards back above them.