Luke Price’s 80th-minute drop goal secured a losing bonus point at the home of Brynley Toms and his league leaders Cardiff teammates as Bridgend battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit, falling to a narrow defeat at Cardiff Arms Park.
The hosts raced out to a 10-point lead within 10 minutes touching down twice through Alun Rees and Dan Fish. Both conversions were sent wide.
Both sides lost players to the bin as the game settled into a midfield battle. Cardiff struck for a third as the half headed into the final five minutes. Joe Goodchild touching down. The conversion was again sent wide.
Bridgend eventually got on the board with a powerful maul drive getting Evan Yardley over the line. The conversion was missed leaving Bridgend trailing by 10 at the break 15 - 5.
Bridgend bagged an early second-half score as Kieran Martin crashed over on his fiftieth appearance for Bridgend Ravens. This time, Price converted leaving three points between the sides just five minutes into the second half.
Both sides traded penalties as the match ticked toward the hour mark before Cardiff added a fourth try. In slightly strange circumstances, Fish went to clear upfield, missing the ball with his foot, and was able to collect and spread a wide pass. The referee didn’t call the drop as forward as a knock on and the hosts raced away for the score. Bridgend now trailed by 8 with time nearly up.
Bridgend set about finding a late score to secure a losing bonus point that their efforts deserved. Cardiff s defense stood firm but Bridgend made ground into the 22. The ball was slung back to Luke Price who nailed the drop goal to bring the gap down to 5 as the full-time whistle arrived.
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