*MATCH REPORT * PONTYPRIDD 31 -34 BRIDGEND

At a sunny Sardis Road, the pressure was on for survival for the Ravens, and with a selection of Ospreys to bolster the team, they started with a bang which pretty much set the format of the afternoon.
Their hungry three quarters  offered quick ball to their pacy winger who took the opportunity &  burst down the touch line , only to be tackled into touch by Knotty

Stealing the home teams line out , Bridgend’s swift hands saw the backs  set up a phase . Ponty defence stood firm & a break away from Raikes & quick ball resulted in a knock on – Scrum to the home side & then the  phase was on . Great hands resulted in Knotty going over for the try , converted by Ceri Sweeney . Ponty up 7-0

From the re start , Bridgend took a quick tap penalty & as the crowd screamed for a knock on , Nathan Edwards touched  down under the posts . 7-7

Ponty restart saw a surge by the three quarters & quick ball saw Raikes dive over – conversion by Sweeney 14-7

Again from the restart , the Bridgend backs were gifted a try by a charge down . Conversion made it all even 14-14

Rob jones off – Dowden on

Bridgend lived off Pontys mistakes  which were aplenty throughout , with forced errors being a key component for much needed possession.

Pontys attacking game saw Morgan Sieniawski surge for the line result in a knock on & the away team kicked for touch taking play outside the 22

The 16th man in the shed were very vocal & the forwards dug deep to stop the relentless Bridgend pressure.

Pontys errors were executed at every opportunity by Bridgend with the ball being quickly booted up the field .

With advantage given to Bridgend , a line kick took the play to the home sides 22

Their forwards surged towards the line but were held up by the ponty defence

Scrum 5 to Bridgend & an almost interception by Stuckey saw another scrum to Bridgend & a try by the Georgian international/ Ospreys player  Gajion

Bridgend had their heads up .

Half time 14-21 to Bridgend

From the restart it looked like Ponty meant business with a quick try by Knotty in the corner   conversion by Ceri

21. -21 ( 42 mins )

Bridgend used their possession to bully the Ponty defence and execute a good try in the corner – conversion made it 28-21 to the visitors

Bridgend continued to have the upper hand in the scrum & as they dominated, penalties ensued . With the confidence to go for the points , the score went to 21-31 

Steffan & Corey on for Rhod Jones & Ben jones 

Missed penalty attempt Bridgend

Yellow card Bridgend for a dangerous tackle

Penalty Ponty , lineout on the Bridgend 25

Great ball saw Daf surge towards the line with recycle ball to Corey Howells who took the home team over the line for their fourth try to secure the bonus point, conversion by Sweeney 28-31

Stuckey’s catch and kick saw a great follow up & a charge down , but Bridgend retained possession .

Penalty to Ponty for Bridgend not rolling away from the tackle ( 67 mins ) kicked by Sweeney, bringing the score level at 31-31

Bridgend attack continued with a great cover tackle by the ever present Stuckey & Knott

Gareth Smith on for Azza

Yellow card Bridgend for a cheap shot no arm tackle . Pontys defence stood firm after 6 phases , only for Ponty to concede a penalty in front of the posts .

80th minute and the time  ticking for the final whistle ,  Bridgend were awarded a penalty to make the final score  31-34

The better team won on the day, congratulations to Bridgend for their win securing their place in the Principality Premiership for another season. Ole!!