Fixture

Bargoed welcomed Bridgend to a windy Bargoed Park in another Principality Premiership tie, looking to build on the positive performance the week before in Merthyr.

Bridgend had first use of the strong wind and they used this advantage effectively early on to put the hosts under pressure.

Bargoed conceded a penalty and Owen Howe stepped up to take the 3 points. Bridgend looked dangerous and a couple of minutes later looked as if they would score again but the ball went dead.

On 20 minutes Bridgend increased their lead when Ben Jones drove over after a driving line out. Howe converted to give the Brewery Field outfit a 10-0 lead.

Bargoed were very effective in the set piece and had their best period of the first half soon after, as they retained possession well and applied pressure on the Bridgend defence. However a lack of accuracy saw a handling error, which resulted in it breaking down and Bridgend went back on the attack.

Bargoed defended heroically just before half time and went in 10-0 down into a strong wind.

Bargoed started the second half and dominated territory early on but due to some poor decisions, aimless kicking and inaccuracy in attack, they couldn’t close the gap on Bridgend.

The momentum swung towards Bridgend when an error saw Bargoed scramble back and Grant Rogers was yellow carded on 50 minutes for obstruction off the ball. Bridgend maintained the pressure on Bargoed and Ben Jones went over for his second try converted by Howe to lead 17-0.

Bridgend increased their lead on 59 minutes when Ospreys prop Gheorgie Gaijan crashed over from close range after a quick tap by Owen Howe to lead 22-0.

Bargoed continued to battle away but after 65 minutes, a kick was fielded by Bridgend wing Dewi Cross who ran it back, and some excellent inter passing from the visitors and poor defence from Bargoed ended with Stuart Floyd-Davies scoring a try and Howe converting to make it 29-0 and a mountain to climb for Bargoed

Bargoed tried to break down the resolute Bridgend defence, but failed to do so and the game ended 29-0 to the visitors.

Bargoed will look back on this with huge disappointment after a good first half where their defence was excellent. However once again they were undone in that critical twenty minute period after half time. There too many errors and this cost them dearly as Bridgend took the initiative.

This was one of the poorest performances of the season and both the players and coaches understand that standards must improve by next week as the Bulls entertain Pontypridd at Bargoed Park for a 2.30 pm kick off in the penultimate game of the season.