Bridgend secured a late Christmas present with a crushing win at the Brewery Field to climb to the top of the Welsh Premiership table.
The Ravens had too much pace out wide for a gutsy Caerphilly outfit, who competed bravely up front but failed to turn possession and territory into points. They held Bridgend to 14-3 at the break, but the home side ran in five second-half tries to come within a conversion of the 50-point mark.
Bridgend coach Allan Lewis was pleased his team kept their try-line intact, but isn’t getting too carried away.
“We’re obviously very pleased,” he said. “We work hard on our defence and we knew that any loose play would be punished, so not to concede a try was excellent.
“Being top of the table means nothing, though. We’ve only had three games and we haven’t really played anyone yet. I’m just glad we gave the fans a big win. It was a miserable day and it was good that they went home with a win.”
The Caerphilly players knew they were in for a long day at the office when they went behind in the opening minute – to a penalty try.
Referee Nigel Williams ruled that the visiting frontrow collapsed the scrum on their line and had no hesitation in jogging over to the posts and raising his hand to indicate the five-pointer.
Justin Thomas, who missed the match-winning shot at goal against
Caerphilly attacked for lengthy periods throughout the match but lack the strike weapon to get over the try-line. Two second-half tries to winger Aisea Havili and one each to Chris Horsman, David Bishop and Maama Molitika extended the Ravens’ lead to a flattering 48-3 and the Brewery Field team were on top of the table.
Bridgend: Tries – Penalty try, G Cull, A Havili 2, C Horsman, D Bishop, M Molitika; Pen – G Cull; Cons – G Cull 5.
Caerphilly: Pen – J Thomas. Halftime: Bridgend 14-3.
