Last year’s Principality Premiership winners had a 100 per cent record in this season’s competition going into Saturday’s game, and were overwhelming favourites to make it 13 against a team who had only won three games before their weekend clash.
The Ravens did not play like a team who trail Pontypridd by 33 points in the league and they struck first with a penalty from James Dixon. And then wing Tom O’Flaherty took advantage of a dropped up and under to score the Ravens first try of the afternoon.
Liam K Williams opened second-placed Pontypridd’s account, but it would be the Ravens who scored next through opposite wing Adam Williams. The impeccable Dixon couldn’t add the conversion but the Ravens led Pontypridd 15-3.
Pontypridd responded, showing a glimpse of the rugby which has taken them on such a long unbeaten run. No 8 Dan Godfrey crossed after a great catch and go from the base of the lineout to make it 15-10 to the Ravens at half-time.
Indiscipline cost Pontypridd in the next half, as both Jake Thomas and Chris Phillips were shown yellow cards. Bridgend capitalised upon their two-man advantage through the impressive O’Flaherty who scored his second of the afternoon – taking his tally to 10 for the season. Replacement Jake Thomas scored a late consolation for Pontypridd making the final score 23-17 to the Bridgend Ravens.
Elsewhere in the league, Cross Keys’ centre Leon Andrews’s last play score secured them an 18-13 win over Cardiff RFC. Eighth-placed Aberavon Quins beat sixth-placed Bedwas through tries from Stef Andrews and Kristian Corbisiero. And Llandovery overcame Neath 22-10 in a bottom-of-the-table clash thanks to an Aaron Warren try and 17 points from the boot of James Garland.
