The Western Mail

CENTRE Ryan Howells scored two of Bridgend's five tries as the Ravens gained their fourth successive Premiership win, writes George Williams.

Three tries in the first half saw Bridgend go into the interval with a 17-6 lead and Howells' two second-half strikes put paid to Llanharan's hopes of salvaging something from the game.

Llanharan lost scrum-half Craig Burton, a former Bridgend player, after only three minutes with a hand injury after he had knocked-on a high kick ahead.

Allan Lake took over from Burton and had a fine tussle with Bridgend scrum-half Nicky Griffiths.

Llanharan coaches Dennis John and John Phelps, both formerly with Bridgend, can take heart from their second-half performance with their pack going strongly.

Bridgend coach Chris Stephens said, "Confidence is beginning to show and the young lads are believing in themselves.

"We are going well up front and a little more depth and patience throughout the team should put us in good shape for the new year."

Bridgend		(17)29-6(6)		Llanharan	FT
Tries: Howells 2 Dyke Hitchings Griffiths
Cons: David 2
				Pens: Davies 2

Pontypridd 36 Caerphilly 20

The Western Mail

CAERPHILLY came unstuck against Pontypridd and remain in relegation trouble in the Welsh Premiership, writes Tony Poole.

The Cheesemen built momentum on the back of early penalties from centre Phil Price and fly-half Stuart Thomas but Ponty responded via wing Richard Fussell, who sprinted 60 metres for a superb try.

A break from centre Dafydd Lockyear then set up an equally impressive try for wing Fussell, but Ponty had prop Ryan Harford binned on the half hour.

Nearing half-time, Ponty fly-half David Flanagan landed two penalties compared to one by opposite number Thomas, leaving the Sardis Road side 16-9 ahead at the break.

Caerphilly had both prop Thomas Hearne and wing Graham Thomas yellow carded and Ponty got a third try via hooker Ben Phillips in the 45th minute.

A Thomas drop-goal kept Caerphilly in the hunt, but Ponty wing Chris Clayton touched down in the 50th minute, making it 26-12.

Caerphilly pulled back to 20-26 on the strength of a Mike Silcox try and a third Thomas penalty, but Ponty's brave attacking style won the day with further tries from full-back Morgan Stoddart and No 8 Dan Godfrey.

Pontypridd		(16)36-20(9)		Caerphilly	FT
Tries: Godfrey Clayton Fussel 2 Phillips Stoddart				Tries: Silcox
				Cons: Thomas
Pens: Flanagan 2				Pens: Price Thomas 3

Welsh Premiership December 31, 2004
		P	W	D	L	PTS
1	Neath	17	16	0	1	48
2	Llanelli	19	15	0	4	45
3	Newport	18	13	0	5	39
4	Aberavon	16	11	0	5	33
5	Cross Keys	17	11	0	6	33
6	Swansea	18	10	0	8	30
7	Ebbw Vale	17	10	0	7	30
8	Carmarthen	15	9	0	6	27
9	Bridgend	17	10	0	7	27
10	Pontypridd	18	8	1	9	25
11	Cardiff	17	7	0	10	21
12	Bedwas	18	6	0	12	18
13	Pontypool	18	5	1	12	16
14	Llandovery	15	5	0	10	15
15	Llanharan	17	3	0	14	9
16	Newbridge	16	4	0	12	9
17	Caerphilly	19	2	0	17	6