Bridgend slipping back into old habits

Mar 3 2008 by Richard Clifford, South Wales Echo

Aberavaon 33-3 Bridgend

FOLLOWING a succession of promising results over the past few months, Bridgend slipped back into their old bad habits and were well beaten by a more committed Aberavon side.

It was always going to be a difficult trip for the Ravens as the home side had previously trotted out six straight home wins but their second-half demise will be of concern to coach Chris Stephens who felt his young side were moving in the right direction.

And despite successive losses to Cardiff and Neath, Bridgend were competitive on both occasions but not always so this time.

It begs the question of how much off the field talk of the club possibly going out of business has infiltrated the thoughts of the players whose futures could be in jeopardy. Stephens, who did not start due to injury, was not available for comment after the game.

Certainly not the ideal backcloth to a visit to the Talbot Athletic Ground to meet an in-form Wizards although all was not lost at the interval as the visitors trailed just 8-0.

Bridgend, with Ospreys David Bishop and Mike Powell in their line-up, conceded a seventh minute try to Marc Breeze but defended soundly for the remainder of the half although Jamie Davies added an injury time penalty.

Gareth David, who missed a kickable shot at goal just before the break, landed an early second half penalty but instead of firing the visitors it had the opposite effect.

Two Davies penalties and two Bridgend yellow cards to Matthew Tidball and Rhys Webb signalled the end for the visitors who leaked a James Garland try to put Aberavon out of sight.

The appearance of replacement Chris Wells, with 10 minutes remaining, also impacted upon the visitors’ fortunes as the hooker went over for a brace of quick fire touchdowns, both converted by Davies, to put a slightly unfair margin on the outcome.