Bridgend extended their lead at the top of the Welsh Premiership with an emphatic seven try 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 after referee Nigel Williams decided Caerphilly's forwards had deliberately collapsed a rolling maul.

Match details

Bridgend (14) 48 Tries: Penalty, Cull, Bishop, Havili (2), Horsman, Molitika Cons: Cull (5) Pens: Cull Caerphilly (3) 3 Pens: J Thomas Att: 3,000

Full-back Gareth Cull added the conversion but the visitors reduced the deficit five minutes later when outside half Justin Thomas kicked a penalty.

Tongan Test wing Aisea Havili was instrumental in creating Bridgend's next score.

He provided sufficient time and space for Cull to cross for a try the full-back also converted.

Caerphilly then raised their game and dominated the rest of the half, but 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.

Bridgend: G Cull; A Havili, D Bishop, G Thomas (capt), R Mustoe; S Mannix, H Harries; P Booth, G Williams, C Horsman, R Jones, N Budgett, M Molitika, C Harris, R Bryan.
Reps: B Phillips, C Loader, G Thomas, O Lloyd, D Jones, C Warlow, S Martens.

Caerphilly: Tuipulotu; Howell, Boobyer, Cox, Taufahema; J Thomas, Chiltern; Manning, Vunupola, Skuse, Rouse, P Jones, El Abd, Workman, Grainger.
Reps: McLoughlon, Ashman, Carless, G Williams, A Williams, Bilton, Lidden.

Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)