The Ravens finally broke their duck in the league after a number of spirited performances by downing the Welsh All Black 20-34 at the Gnoll in a bonus point win. The signs have been encouraging of late, with a four try bonus point in a defeat to Newport coming just prior to the win on the weekend. The young side assembled by Mike Hook and Dean Ronan is showing improved performances week on week and will look to build on that when Cardiff come to town on Saturday afternoon.
Cardiff, who have played all seven of their league games on the road due to the Fanzone at their BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park home have four wins from their league campaign to date. Cross Keys, Neath, Llanelli and Carmarthen Quins have been put to the sword by the capital side, but a heavy defeat to Bedwas last time out by 56-10 has left the blue and blacks smarting. Bridgend know they will have to be at their best to come out on top of what is always a feisty encounter.
Cardiff comprehensively did the double over the Ravens last season, including a 15-45 win at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field in which wing Mike Powell was sent off in the first half. The Ravens can take some comfort from the last encounter between the sides, which saw them win 12-22 at the Arms Park at the start of what was to turn out to be a momentous cup run.
The Ravens stick largely with the side that got their first league win at Neath on Saturday. Olly Cracknell continues in the back row where he is partnered by Lloyd Evans and the impressive Adam O’Driscoll. Marc Thomas replaces Nicky Boyce at loose-head and Gavin Bilton continues in the second row with try scoring supremo Ashton Evans.
In the backs, Geraint Watkin returns from injury and partners Joseph Scrivens, who has a 100% record from the tee for the Ravens in the league this campaign, with David Evans, Mike Powell and Marc Bennett continuing as a back three. The side is captained by Ryan Evans, who joins Morgan Jones in midfield.
Bridgend: 15 Marc Bennett 14 David Evans 13 Morgan Jones 12 Ryan Evans (captain) 11 Mike Powell 10 Joseph Scrivens 9 Geraint Watkin;
1 Marc Thomas 2 Dale Rogers 3 Cai Lewis 4 Ashton Evans 5 Gavin Bilton 6 Olly Cracknell 7 Adam O’Driscoll8 Lloyd Evans
Replacements: Iestyn Merriman, Nicky Boyce, Liam Jenkins, Rhodri Hughes, Zac O’Driscoll, Will Baird, Joe Gatt & Alex Fenton.
