Llandovery 3-26 Bridgend


By Zippy
February 14 2005

Round up of the action in the Welsh Premiership on Friday night. Bridgend kept the winning run going with a big away win at Llandovery, Bridgend must fancy their chances of a high league finish.

Llandovery 3 Bridgend 26

The Western Mail


THE sour taste left by Bridgend's loss of three points in November for failing to honour the scheduled fixture against Llandovery was more in evidence off the field at Church Bank last night.

On the field, the game was full of honest wholehearted endeavour but off the field Bridgend players and officials shunned Llandovery hospitality after the game.

Cold rain, soapy ball and a treacherous surface made the game a battle of stamina and it was Bridgend who had far the more staying power.

Their win was the eighth on the trot in the Premiership and thoroughly deserved.

Bridgend took advantage of a strong first-half wind to lead 7-0 - a try by flanker Dean Fitzgerald after a break by fly-half Gareth David who also added the conversion.

Llandovery were expected to mount a serious challenge after the break but Bridgend went further ahead when their outstanding pack churned over for a couple of tries awarded to skipper Mike Powell and centre Ryan Howells.

All Llandovery had to show for their fair share of territory was a penalty by fly-half Simon Daniel and as hard as their forwards tried, they could not get the upper-hand over a Bridgend eight who put in their best performance of the season in both tight and loose, prop Phil Booth being particularly outstanding.

Bridgend finished with a brilliant counter-attack made by replacement centre Chris Tossel and scored by Howells, David putting over his third conversion of the night.

Llandovery (0)3-26(7) Bridgend FT
Tries:
Powell
Howells 2
Fitzgerald
Cons:
David 3
Pens:
Daniel


Welsh Premiership
February 14, 2005
P W D L PTS
1  Neath 20 17 0 3 51
2  Llanelli 23 16 0 7 48
3  Newport 21 15 0 6 45
4  Cross Keys 21 14 0 7 42
5  Bridgend 21 14 0 7 39
6  Swansea 22 12 2 8 38
7  Carmarthen 20 12 1 7 37
8  Pontypridd 21 11 1 9 34
9  Aberavon 19 11 0 8 33
10  Ebbw Vale 21 11 0 10 33
11  Pontypool 22 8 1 13 25
12  Cardiff 18 8 0 10 24
13  Bedwas 21 8 0 13 24
14  Llandovery 20 7 0 13 21
15  Llanharan 21 3 1 17 10
16  Caerphilly 22 3 0 19 9
17  Newbridge 21 4 0 17 9