Match Report: Bridgend 15 – 14 Aberavon
Aberavon travelled to the Brewery Field for the opening round of the Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) Cup, facing familiar rivals Bridgend in wet, windy conditions that made handling and kicking difficult throughout. The Wizards handed debuts to hooker Jacob Winters and back‑rower Cameron Hartnoll, while the Ravens were looking to make the most of a strong gale at their backs during the first half.
The match began with Bridgend using that advantage immediately. After securing an attacking lineout just seven metres from the Aberavon line, the Ravens built several tight phases before moving the ball wide to former Wizard Gabe Lacey, who finished in the right corner after only two minutes. Six minutes later, Bridgend capitalised on an excellent 50/22 to earn a five‑metre lineout. From the resulting maul, Corey Lewis powered over, and outside-half Lloyd Wilkins added the conversion to make it 12–0.
With the Wizards struggling to exit against the wind and the ball slippery in the rain, Bridgend extended their lead on 18 minutes when Wilkins kicked a straightforward penalty to push the score to 15–0. Aberavon had their first real chance shortly afterwards when awarded a penalty in front of the posts, but they opted for a tap and unfortunately knocked on in the next phase. The Wizards continued to battle for momentum and defended stoutly late in the half, notably turning Bridgend over near their own line in stoppage time to reach the interval still 15–0 behind. At the break, Aberavon replaced their entire front row to freshen the pack for a second half playing with the strong wind.
The Wizards began the second period with far more territory and possession, but Bridgend’s defence initially held firm. A yellow card against Shay Smallman on 45 minutes was another setback, yet Aberavon responded well and began to build pressure. Their breakthrough came on 54 minutes when centre Bradley Roderick burst straight through Bridgend’s defensive line from just outside the 22 after strong approach work down the left by Felix Gilbert. Keillen Cullen converted to bring the score back to 15–7.
Just three minutes after Smallman returned from the sin-bin, the Wizards struck again. Full-back Scott Delnevo produced a determined run on the right, staying upright in contact long enough to free the ball, and wing Connor Moyse finished in the corner. Cullen landed a fine touchline conversion, narrowing the gap to a single point at 15–14 with just over twenty minutes remaining.
The Wizards spent a long spell camped inside the Ravens’ 22 around the 70‑minute mark, but despite multiple phases, Bridgend’s defence forced a penalty to relieve the pressure. A series of further penalties then allowed the Ravens to advance upfield and spend more time in Aberavon’s territory. As the clock reached the final minutes, Bridgend attacked again in the Wizards’ 22, but excellent Aberavon defence earned a turnover. The Wizards launched one last multi‑phase counter‑attack from deep, trying to engineer a winning score in stoppage time. However, the Ravens secured a penalty at a breakdown, and with the match beyond 80 minutes, they kicked the ball out to end the contest.
In the wet and windy conditions, Bridgend’s early scoring burst proved decisive. The Wizards dominated long stretches of the second half and came within a point after a spirited comeback, but the Ravens held on to start their SRC Cup campaign with a win.
Date:
Saturday January 24th, 2026
Score:
Bridgend 15 – 14 Aberavon
Aberavon Team:
Scott Delnevo; Connor Moyse (rep Noah Mason 75 min), Frankie Jones (rep Ethan Williams 75 min), Bradley Roderick, Felix Gilbert (temp rep Noah Mason 32 min – half-time); Keillen Cullen, Scott Whitlock (capt); Freddie Chapman (rep Jordan Walters half-time), Jacob Winters (rep Luke Davies half-time), Conrad Delfosse (rep Geraint James half-time), Shay Smallman (rep Ross Fox 57 min), Lewis Marsh, James Clegg, Ben Gregory, Charlie Herdman (rep Cameron Hartnoll 57 min).
Replacement Not Used:
Caelan Carson-Jones.
Notes:
Connor Moyse appeared from the Ospreys; Jacob Winters appeared from St Peters RFC; Conrad Delfosse appeared from Tonna RFC; Caelan Carson-Jones appeared from Bonymaen RFC; Cameron Hartnoll appeared from Vardre RFC
Club debuts for Jacob Winters & Cameron Hartnoll.
Aberavon Scorers:
T – Bradley Roderick, Connor Moyse
C – Keillen Cullen (2)
Bridgend Scorers:
T – Gabe Lacey, Corey Lewis
C – Lloyd Wilkins
P – Lloyd Wilkins
Referee:
Max Clements
Man Of The Match:
1 – James Clegg
2 – Luke Davies
3 – Bradley Roderick
Time Line:
02 min: Bridgend – T – Gabe Lacey (5 – 0)
08 min: Bridgend – T – Corey Lewis & C – Lloyd Wilkins (12 – 0)
18 min: Bridgend – PG – Lloyd Wilkins (15 – 0)
40+5 min: Half Time
45 min: Aberavon – Yellow Card – Shay Smallman
54 min: Aberavon – T – Bradley Roderick & C – Keillen Cullen (15 – 7)
57 min: Aberavon – End Yellow Card – Shay Smallman
59 min: Aberavon – T – Connor Moyse & C – Keillen Cullen (15 – 14)
80+2 min: Full Time
