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Ravens face Church Bank trip

Ravens face Church Bank trip

Bridgend Ravens travel to Church Bank tomorrow looking for their first win of the season against Llandovery.

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Ben Rose’s side have suffered defeats to Carmarthen Quins and Pontypridd so far but their display against the defending champions on Wednesday night showed plenty of signs of encouragement. 

The Ravens were 23-20 up with just seconds remaining but Gavin Dacey’s late try sent them to defeat.

Despite the heart-breaking loss, Rose was positive in that he saw his side produce the kind of rugby he knows they are capable of.

With a short turnaround between games, Rose makes a number of changes for the clash with the Drovers. Nathan Edwards and Ross Jones are the only survivors amongst the backs, with Ashley Evans, Adam Williams, Sion Hopkins and Lewis Williams all coming in for the Ravens.

The forwards, led by captain Ashley James, are made up of a new back row with Nic Huntley, Jac Hopkins and Scott Hicks all starting.

Speaking after their defeat to Pontypridd, Bridgend flanker Arthur Ellis, said: “We’re gutted to be on the wrong side of the result. We put a lot right from the Carmarthen Quins game but it’s about 80 minutes and there’s still stuff to improve on for next week.

“But we’re building and we need to step up on Saturday even though it’s a short turnaround.”
 
Llandovery started their season with a narrow win over Cardiff, James Garland booting them to victory over the Blue and Blacks. A second consecutive home fixture awaits for Lyndon Lewis’ side with captain Phil Day again leading the side from the back row.

Llandovery: 15 Steven Evans 14 Jake Randell 13 Mathew Jacobs 12 Rhodri Jones 11 Aaron Warren 10 Ian Brooks 9 Lee Rees, 1 Owain Jones 2 Thomas Ball 3 Greg Cunniffe 4 Bryn Griffiths 5 Llewelyn Jones 6 Phillip Day (c) 7 Shaun Miles 8 Richard Bloomfield.
Replacements: Thomas Jones, Gethin Wyn Jones, Stuart Miller, Luke Kendall, Jonathan Lewis, Lawrence Reynolds, Sam Soul, Lee Evans.

Bridgend: 15 Ross Jones 14 Ashley Evans 13 Nathan Edwards 12 Adam Williams 11 Ryan Owen/Owen Howe 10 Lewis K Williams 9 Sion Hopkins, 1 Marc Thomas 2 Ash James (c) 3 Aaron Jarvis 4 Owain Lloyd 5 Ben Jones 6 Nic Huntley 7 Jac Hopkins 8 Scott Hicks.
Replacements: Greg George, Gary Carpenter, Dan Suter, Dai Barry, Jon Vaughan, Chris Williams, James Dixon, Jamie Murphy. 

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