Bridgend Ravens Squad Preview 04/05

By Zippy
September 2 2004

The young Bridgend squad have strengthened ahead of the challenge for Premiership glory. Take a look at my squad preview and where the stars may come from.

Bridgend Squad

Full Backs:
Anthoy Carter
Neil Dixon
Andrew Hutchings

Wings:
Matthew Jeffries
Grant Epton
Dan Hutchings
Nathan Trowbridge

Centres:
Richard Dyke
Richard Mustoe
Neil Burnett
Chris Tossell
Ryan Howells

Outside-Halves:
Austen Howells
Paul Smithson
Paul Fisher
Gareth Lewis

Scrum-Halves:
Brendan Roach
Nicky Griffiths
James Donovan

Props:
Tom Snelgrove
Gareth Alexander
Lee Manning
Hywel Davies
Scott Roberts

Hookers:
Andrew Joy
Adrian Phillips
Rhys James
Ieuan Dobbs

2nd Rows:
Mike Powell
Huw Alford
Chris Hanley
Paul Morgan
James Ciaburro

Back Row:
Cory Harris
Dean Fitzgerald
Marvin Thomas
Chris Davies
Rhys Long
Gareth Williams
Adam Whitney
Nathan Strong

Zippy's View

The Backs

The exciting young backline has lost two of its most promising players in Shaun James and Andrew Bishop.

Not to worry though Richard Mustoe has signed from the Warriors as has Grant Epton from Maesteg so it looks a great backline.

At full back the attacking Anthony Carter stays on and will be pushed by the versitile Neil Dixon who joins from Maesteg.

The Wings Matthew Jeffries, Grant Epton, Dan Hutchings and Nathan Trowbridge are all young and should have bags of gas.

Centre is where Mustoe will play and will be joined by the experienced Richard Dyke and youngsters Neil Burnett, Chris Tossell and the exciting Ryan Howells joins from Caerphilly.

Young fly half Paul Smithson should mature into the role, the exciting Austin Howells will need to be on top of his game to retain the fly half jersey.

Fans will be hoping Brendan Roach can reach the standards of last season, if not Wales U18 scrum half Nicky Griffiths or Bridgend Athletic's James Donavan will happily take his place.

The Forwards

They thought they had lost Webby to the Warriors but after the demise he is still able to help out until he finds work, great news.

Bridgend made the signing of the summer when they got the signature of flanker Cory Harris, he had been the unsung hero of both Bridgend's Championship side and the Warriors. Big things are expected from him as he aims to get into the Welsh setup.

In the back row Nathan Strong remains for another year, he had a great season and continues his form with the Bridgend Bulls. Young flankers Dean Fitzgerald and Chris Davies showed great promise. Popular Marvin Thomas stays on as well.

Bridgend look strong in the boiler room with players of great ability at this level Mike Powell and Paul Morgan, backing them up are the upcoming Huw Alford and James "How Do U Say It?" Ciaburro.

Chris "The Bird" Stephens will make guest appearances when required.

At prop Lee Manning has signed from Caerphilly to give extra experience to the front row.

Last seasons young props Tom Snellgrove and Gareth Alexander stay on, Scott Roberts has signed from Ponty and Hywel Davies signs from Tondu after a year in Australia.

At Hooker Andrew Joy has been recriuted from the Warriors and with Adrian Phillips, Rhys James and Ieuan Dobbs Bridgend look well equiped.

Zippy's Prediction

With the strengthening all around the squad I really don't think its too much to think Bridgend could challenge for the title this season, the youngsters have matured and Newport and Neath have lost players.

After the Warriors demise its really what the area needs.

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