Following a resurgent first half performance against Carmarthen, the Ravens were to leave West Wales empty handed as Lee Williams scored a hat-trick to take the game away from the visitors. The defeat leaves the Ravens rooted to the bottom of the table.
Conversely, Pontypridd have cemented their reputation as serial title challengers. The league winners of last season are again gunning for glory at the top of the tree. Pontypridd almost came unstuck earlier in the campaign, as Bridgend came within minutes of stealing a win from the House of Pain.
The Ravens led 10-5 at the break, but a second half comeback from Pontypridd ensured that they took away the win. Tries that day were scored by Tom O’Flaherty (2) & James Dixon, with Dixon’s boot adding the remaining points in a 27-17 defeat.
The past five encounters have all been won by Pontypridd, a stat which will have to change on Saturday afternoon if Bridgend are to begin to haul themselves clear of the relegation place.
Putting the disappointment of a quarter final British & Irish Cup exit behind them, Ponty will be fully focused on reclaiming top spot in the Premiership and defending the only 100% record still intact in the competition.
Ebbw Vale have taken over as league leaders, five points clear but having played two games more than Pontypridd. Bridgend meanwhile occupy bottom position in the table with three wins out of twelve matches played, and a full thirty-three points adrift of Ponty.
Pontypridd inevitably make numerous changes from the team that came away defeated from Worcester in the BIC last weekend, with Wales Sevens, Wales under 20s and senior Blues squad call-ups removing a number of players from the equation.
Out injured are scrum half Joel Raikes, second row Craig Locke and no8 Owen Sheppeard all with knee problems, hooker Aled Morris with a groin strain and prop Keiron Jenkins with a calf strain.
Gary Williams makes a welcome return to action at centre following a series of niggling groin and ankle injuries. Others making a return to action are winger Matthew Nuthall, outside half Lewis K Williams – facing his former club – lock Jordan Sieniawski and flanker Luke Crocker. Scrum half Liam Free is drafted in from the Blues Academy to cover on the bench.
Bridgend: Owen Howe, Tom O’Flaherty, Chris Lewis, Owen Watkin, Adam Williams, James Dixon, Chris Williams. Gary Carpenter, Ashleigh James, Cai Lewis, Ben Jones, Rory Thornton, Andrew Waite, Adam O’Driscoll, Matthew Phillips.
Replacements: Huw Wilkes, Steve John, Mitchell Auger, Henri Williams, Dai Barry, Derrick Tredray, Steve Cullen & Mike Powell.
Pontypridd: 15 Aled Summerhill 14 Owen Jenkins 13 Dafydd Lockyer (Capt) 12Gary Williams 11Matthew Nuthall 10 Lewis K Williams Lloyd Williams; 1 James Howe 2 Huw Dowden 3 Pat Palmer 4 Jordan Sieniawski 5 Alex Jones 6 Luke Crocker 7 Wayne O’Connor 8 Dan Godfrey.
Subs: 16 Liam Free. 17.Dale Stuckey 18 Gavin Dacey 19 Tom Hetherington 20 Jake Thomas 21 Rhys Shellard 22 Chris Phillips.
