Wizards in top form

Mar 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

ABERAVON have won their last six home matches and their backs have stepped up a gear, particularly after notching nine tries against Cardiff in both competitions recently.

Fly-half Jamie Davies need just 21 points to become the second player (after Jason Williams) to reach 3,000 points in the 18-year history of Welsh league rugby.

He has been having more chances due to the pacy wing pair of Richard Carter and former Wales Under-19 cap Steve Davies.

Bridgend have not yet announced their side with skipper Gareth David likely to stay at fly-half rather than full-back and coach Chris Stephens will probably start at lock for a club who are consistently picking up points, albeit many are losing bonuses.

Aberavon: J Garland; R Carter, L Gadd, P Bamsey, S Davies; J Davies, G Hooper; N White, M Breeze, A Edwards, I Moore (capt), C Gittins, D Thomas, R Morris, C Davies.

Bridgend: G Knox; R Radford, D Bishop, G Howells, G Hobbs; G David (capt), L Ronan; L Davies, S Baldwin, P Price, T Evans, M Powell, I Cunningham, G Williams, M Tidball