Dodd’s late show clinches Swans’ thriller

……………..32 ……………… 31

Swansea held on to defeat Bridgend by a single point in a thriller at St Helen’s.

The home side began the match when the forwards created space for Gareth J Rees to race clear from a ruck to score. Bridgend’s Iestyn Merriman then caught the Whites asleep by scoring from a quick tap penalty.

After a kicking dual between the two sides, Gareth J Rees spilled the ball forward to gift Bridgend an attacking set piece and, moments later, Gareth Harvey crashed over for a try.

Swansea got themselves back into the lead through Callum Bowden.

An outstanding move by the Whites’ backs saw Gareth O Rees sprint up to the 22, before the ball was quickly switched to the opposite wing to send Harri Houston over for a try. Bridgend hit back when Matt Dodd was penalised for killing a Bridgend attack and a quick tap penalty by Jakob Williams created a platform for Luke Price to chip into the corner for Mike Powell to score.

Harvey and James Davies exchanged a try apiece, before a great move involving Price and Edd Howley sent Powell over for a late try.

A late Dodd try clinched the win for Swansea, with Price missing two shots at goal.

Star man

Matt Dodd – Swansea