BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Celtic | Late James try saves Bridgend

Welsh Premiership
Ebbw Vale 6-7 Bridgend

Bridgend ran out the narrowest of winners over Ebbw Vale in a tight match in terrible conditions at Eugene Cross Park.

Persistent rain dictated that the match was played in thick mud, and both sides struggled with their handling in driving rain.

Having beaten Swansea 16-13 at home in midweek, Ebbw Vale were chasing their second consecutive win.

Match details

Ebbw Vale (6) 6
Pens: Meenan (2)

Bridgend (0) 7
Try: James
Cons: Warlow

A penalty plus a drop-goal from Irish fly-half Mark Meenan put them 6-0 up at half-time.

But Bridgend came out fighting in the second half, and even without injured Wales lock Andy Moore and captain Gareth Thomas, they still had Ebbw Vale under tremendous pressure after the break.

Time and again Bridgend attacked the Ebbw line only to be repelled by some last-ditch tackles and solid defence from the home side.

Ebbw Vale's Kati Tuipulotu is caught by Shawn Van Rensberg
Both sides struggled in poor conditions
But the pressure had to tell - and so it proved.

The Bridgend pack gathered a loose ball which was quickly worked to centre Dafydd James, who broke through the tackle of Martin Riddle and scored near the posts.

Craig Warlow added the conversion, but the visitors kept the home side under the cosh for the remaining 20 minutes.

Ebbw Vale finally managed to break the stranglehold and came back into the game late on.

But Bridgend held on for their deserved win after playing most of the second period in the Vale half.

Ebbw Vale: Richard Davies, Nick Wakley, Martin Ridley, Paul Matthews, Aaron Takarangi, Mark Meenan, Bryan Shelbourne, Adam Black, Jonathan Evans, Martin Jones, Ockert Booyse, Peter Sidoli, Rhys Williams, Paul Williams, Kati Tuipolotu.
Reps: Kristian Gay, Keiron Crawford, Chay Billen, Will Thomas, Andrew Bevan, Scott Mitchell, Rhys Shorney.

Bridgend: Matt James; Richard Mustoe, Dafydd James, John Funnell, Craig Warlow; Simon Mannix, Sililo Martens; Christian Loader, Ben Phillips, John Thiel, Mike Powell, Deiniol Jones, Nathan Budgett, Cory Harris, Shawn van Rensburg.
Reps: Huw Harries, Anthony Carter, Paul Jones, Phil Booth, Chris Horsman, Richard Bryan, Mamma Molitika.

Referee:: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)


	Links to more Celtic stories