Bridgend sweep Caerphilly aside
December 26, 2002

Bridgend re-enforced their position at the top of the Welsh Premiership with an emphatic seven-try 48-3 win over Caerphilly at the Brewery Field.

But the Ravens were made to work hard for their third-successive league success, before 31 unanswered points in the final quarter ultimately proved decisive.

The home side were awarded a penalty try within the opening three minutes, referee Nigel Williams indicating that Caerphilly's forwards had deliberately collapsed a rolling maul a metre from their line.

Full-back Gareth Cull added the conversion but the visitors reduced the deficit five minutes later when outside half Justin Thomas kicked a penalty after the hosts were penalised for a line-out infringement.

Tongan Test wing Aisea Havili was instrumental in creating Bridgend's next score, providing sufficient time and space for Cull to cross for a try he also converted.

Caerphilly then raised their game and dominated the rest of the half, but for all their concerted pressure were unable to breach the Ravens' rock-like defence.

Cull kicked a 52nd-minute penalty to push Bridgend into a 17-3 lead but the match was effectively decided after 61 minutes.

Skipper Gareth Thomas recovered possession from the Caerphilly turn-over and his long pass put the speedy Havili over in the left corner.

Thereafter the visitors' resistance gradually crumbled as Bridgend added further tries through prop Chris Horsman, Havili, centre David Bishop and flanker Maama Molitika, with Cull converting three.

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