INDIGO PREMIERSHIP
ABERAVON don’t have traditional rivals Neath to face today following the Welsh All Blacks’ relegation, but they still know a familiar and dangerous foe will arrive at the Talbot Athletic Ground today (2.30pm).
The Wizards ended a run of four straight defeats against Ebbw Vale last time out and next up are an upwardly mobile Bridgend Ravens outfit who have moved off the bottom.
Bridgend downed Swansea and it is now Ebbw who prop up the rest of the pile. It means Aberavon will be more than wary of what the Ravens will bring in the Indigo Premiership’s sole game.
“Aberavon against Neath has been a huge Boxing Day fixture in the past. Things have changed now, but playing Bridgend will still be a massive clash,” said Wizards head coach Jason Hyatt.
“They are an improving side and have won their last two to move off the bottom. The Christmas game at Talbot Athletic Ground is always massive and it’s a game where we have to deliver for our home supporters. We always get a big crowd in on Boxing Day and I’m sure it will be the same again this year. Bridgend are certainly on the up. They had a bad start to the season, but we know exactly what they will bring. They are a very close local rival and in many ways it could be a bigger game than playing against Neath.”
Aberavon are still without key man Joe Tomalin-Reeves who remains suspended after being cited in the game with Llanelli. Wing Jay Baker returned to action for Aberavon against Ebbw after a stint playing for Manly Marlins in Australia where he scored nine tries in 11 games.
The former Merthyr and Ospreys speedster is still unsure about where his long-term future lies. “We’re taking things slowly with Jay. He’s back from Australia and he’s available for Boxing Day. We’ll see if he gets selected, but we all know his quality,” said Hyatt.
“He was our top carrier against Ebbw and we’ll take it game by game with him. We’ll see what happens, but he has links to Aberavon and if he were to be around long term, we would certainly look at the situation.”