Ravens fly too high for Parish

Mar 23 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

BRIDGEND held their nerve to emerge with a slender victory over Maesteg during an entertaining derby clash at the Brewery Field.

Despite having played well into the wind during the opening half, the Old Parish were 21-3 down on the hour.

Lesser sides might have buckled but not Maesteg, who possessed an outstanding No 8 in Steffan Jones.

The Ravens did the damage early on, cutting their old rivals twice on the wide outside during the opening quarter through fly-half Mark David and wing Chris Weightman.

But Bridgend failed to capitalise on the strong wind, and the only other score of the half was a penalty from Maesteg fly-half Luke Richards.

The Old Parish, who trailed 14-3 at the break, applied pressure at the restart with centre Michael Davies just denied a try.

But the key score came on the hour when, against the run of play, Bridgend wing Weightman collected a second try with full-back Gareth David landing a superb conversion into the wind.

Though the Ravens seemed home and dry, Maesteg battled back in the 65th minute with a 130th league try from wing Lenny Woodard.

Fly-half Richards converted, and soon afterwards fellow wing Nathan Trowbridge was worked over for a corner try.

At 21-15, Maesteg were back in contention, but they then displayed a strange lack of ambition, particularly since they had wind advantage. They twice opted for goal kicks during the closing stages with Richards succeeding once.

Bridgend: Tries – C Weightman (2), M David; Cons – G David (3).

Maesteg: Tries – L Woodard, N Trowbridge; Con – L Richards; Pens – L Richards (2).