Bridgend headed to Rodney Parade in a confident mood following their excellent win against Pontypridd last time out, and it was The Ravens who came out on top in what was a vital battle at the bottom of the league.
The first chance for the Ravens to get some points on the board followed an excellent break from elusive wing Mike Powell. The flyer took a chance after gathering a neat clearance kick and made 50 metres, some good phase play from Bridgend led to a penalty that was just off target from Dixon.
The Ravens showed intent to play fast flowing rugby when, shortly after, another Bridgend penalty was tapped quickly by captain Ashleigh James within 5 metres of the try line. The first points of the match would come following a good initial defensive effort from the hosts. Bridgend recycled and a crisp pass out wide saw Tom O’Flaherty squeeze over in the corner. Dixon was short with the conversion attempt.
Newport opened their account almost immediately after as Fullback Geraint O’Driscoll slotted his first penalty of the match.
It was Bridgend who would add to their lead. A scrum move straight from the training ground saw Adam Williams carve through the Black and Ambers’ defence. A pass out to O’Flaherty saw the winger cross for his, and the Ravens second. Dixon missed a tough conversion.
Newport looked to have scored their first try of the match only for a forward pass to halt the play as they went over the line.
The hosts continued to press for a five point score but the Ravens defended well and held out. A penalty goal from O’Driscoll left just a four point gap between the sides as half-time approached.
The Ravens upped the tempo from the start of the second half. Dixon landed a penalty two minutes in and went on to get a try minutes later. The Newport defence struggled to contain the power of Adam Williams as the centre went through the hosts defence again. Quick recycling left big gaps in the defensive line and Dixon went over under the posts. The former Black and Amber outside half added the conversion to give Bridgend a healthy lead.
Newport got back into the match, with what would be their only try, shortly after. Wing Elliot Frewen got over the line and ran it in under the posts for a simple conversion, O’Driscoll landed it to reduce the deficit to seven.
A long range penalty from Owen Howe put Bridgend ten points ahead with what would be the final points of the match with 18 minutes to play. Newport worked hard to gain something from the match, as the Ravens defence were put under pressure. A yellow card for lock Ben Jones gave Newport hope but Bridgend showed the heart and desire to keep the hosts out and secure a vital win.
NEWPORT find themselves still rooted to the bottom of the Principality Premiership table after coming second best to Bridgend in the weekend’s big basement battle. Their mini revival after back-to-back wins over Aberavon and Carmarthen Quins came to an abrupt end at Rodney Parade. They were outplayed by a Ravens side who had put league champions Pontypridd to the sword last week.
And here is the viewpoint from Newport…
The Black and Ambers were bitterly disappointing and never really looked like winning. A lively opening saw both sides size each other up before Bridgend had a chance to take the lead in the 10th min, only for outside half James Dixon’s eminently kickable penalty to go wide.
The Ravens took control of the game in the opening quarter with the hosts unable to get out of their own half for long periods. The visitors got the score they richly deserved when wing Tom O’Flaherty crossed for an unconverted try after Bridgend’s gamble paid off after turning down a shot at goal, the score 5-0 in their favour after 20 minutes.
However, much of their hard work was cancelled out when the Black and Ambers hit back almost immediately with a finely struck long distance penalty by their full back Geraint O’Driscoll.
Bridgend were stung into action, responding with a fine try, another for O’Flaherty, after his side cut the Newport defence to ribbons. Dixon missed another tricky conversion, but his side were now 10-3 in the lead with 26 minutes gone.
Newport looked to have scored a gem of a try just seconds later, but O’Driscoll’s pass to wing Owen Broad was a fraction forward. The home side battered the Bridgend line and went close to crossing but they had to settle for another O’Driscoll penalty.
The game was held up just before half-time for a serious looking injury to Broad who was in some pain, the wing being stretchered off. The second half didn’t start well for the hosts after they conceded a silly penalty for playing the ball in an offside position after a knock-on. Dixon made no mistake with his shot at goal to give the Ravens a 13-6 lead. Newport’s defensive frailties were again brutally exposed by the visitors when they carved through them for try number three, scored and converted by former Black and Ambers man Dixon.
But Newport refused to surrender and they were back in the game when the dangerous Elliot Frewen finished well after being given some space down the left wing, O’Driscoll reducing the deficit to 20-13 with half an hour to go.
Spurred on by this score, they should have reduced the gap to just four, only for O’Driscoll to miss a sitter of a penalty as the game approached the final quarter. Ravens full back Owen Howe made no mistake however when he kicked a fine long range penalty to give his side a 10-point advantage.
Newport were given a lifeline when the visitors’ lock Ben Jones was yellow carded for infringing at a maul. But they were unable to make their one-man advantage tell, their faltering scrum leaving them down once again as they found themselves in excellent field position, deep in enemy territory. Bridgend held on to their comfortable lead with ease and Newport will have much to ponder after a seriously below par performance after recent victories had promised much.
