We need ....

Bouch · We need ....

Having finally managed to push my way through the enormous crowds of people by the locked Cricket Pavilion and its bar (Playing In Guernsey?), I paid my entrance fee and watched in amusement/amazement as other "fans" stayed the other side of the metal barriers and watched the same game for nothing!

Well, I say I watched it but the Ath's subs managed to block any chance of people on the Bowham Avenue side of the field actually seeing the try scored in the top corner as the subs rushed out into the field of play to watch what happened.

I'm sure the subs enjoyed it. They certainly enjoyed barracking the referee.

We knew beforehand that the touch judges can't help the referee to keep the game "honest" and the number of knock ons not seen by the ref were only matched by the little digs and niggles out on the wide open spaces behind the ref's back.

So, what do we need?

Two Enforcers - Oh for the days of John Morgan and Billy Howe!

Two reliable kickers - throwing away 9 points cost us the game. Missing from in front of the posts isn't good.

Two fit hookers - Pushing the opposition all over the field and then not was a bit of a blow.

And, for me, two touch judges who are able to intervene for foul and dangerous play.

I left early to avoid the rush. Well, I couldn't see the game and I couldn't see the Ravens winning either.

It was like the old days when every team had a touch judge who could be relied upon to give every advantage to "his" side. (Neath and Glamorgan Wanderers circa 1985/90 anybody?)

On Saturday, the touch judges turned a blind eye to a punch not only behind the referee's back but from behind the receiver's back!

Welcome to the Wild Division 1 West.

no 1 ravensfan

touch judges cannot report foul play at this level.

ladyraven

Yep. Touch judges can only signal touch, and succesful kicks.

http://bridgendravens.myfreeforum.org/about1672.html

Tonto28

The real world is now at hand and The Ravens have now got a taste of the future. We sympathise and have empathy - we have been there, worn the T shirt, smelt the coffee, etc etc.
We had no help from the Ospreys ( maesteg RFC ) when we were in the Premier division ( thanks to Kevin Hopkins- lately director of rugby at Bridgend ) with five Ospreys allocated to us in seventy two games at that level.
We even had to endure Maesteg born, Maesteg Welsh, Maesteg Youth, and Maesteg ouside half Gareth Owen being refused permission to play for us in a vital league match, before being given to Bridgend to play in a nothing game against Cross keys.
We were told that it was important that they saw him and Rhys Webb paired together. Gareth owen played at full back!!!
So why should The Ravens expect assistance when they are in the `first division`.
Watching rugby while standing on green grass around the pitch is something we had to endure for twelve years before we got back to the premier division; we are doing so again this season.
At least the sun was shining on Saturday, but with the winter coming the Ravens supporters can look forward to going to Cwmllynfell, where the field ends and a welsh version of a grouse moor begins.
Nice to see so many former Maesteg players in the Ravens starting line up on Saturday and interesting to note that one forum member feels that you need two enforcers such as Billy Howe and John Morgan - who were of course both long serving Maesteg players until they were lured down to town.
We hope after those two losses that you can consolidate and get back on track.
We have won our first two but have our feet firmly on the ground and hopefully we can get back to the first division next season.
It would give me the greatest pleasure to see the old order restored in this area so that we can both put a collective two fingers up at the WRU and the Ospreys.
Looking forward to our first friendly at the Brewery field in November for the David Chinn Memorial Trophy who was of course an English Colt international, and played for Maesteg and then Bridgend before his tragic and untimely death.

RHYD

Bouch

Ladyraven et al.

I was aware of the restrictions placed on touchjudges prior to the game.

However, having to stand idly by while the "foul and dangerous" kicked off must have been galling for them.

Tonto28, we all have to cut our suits according to the cloth. I lived 25 doors from John Morgan, btw! A good man to have on your side.

Laughing

ravinmad

ron jeremie

The trouble is we will never be able to tell the rspreys where to go because they will ALWAYS dictate things, and tell our players where to play.
New t-shirt being printed next week.

ianto13

I agree that the Ospreys dictate where their players play- they pay them! That's why Lloyd Peers is playing for the Ravens despite playing for the ATH from the age of 11!! Apparently the Ospreys also thought that the Ravens were the no1 side in Bridgend - it will be an interesting season!!

Aleeed#

RHYD

terrace dweller

Very well said Tonto. Its a sad fact that the further you slip down the league ladder, the greater the politics becomes as you have little or no chance of being given any favours by the region.
Personally, and I have long held the view, the Mike Cuddy Ospreys can go to hell, along with the other so called regions.
I just hope that the likes of Bridgend and Maesteg can turn things around a bit in the next couple of years.
Like many others I was concerned at the lack of fight v the Athletic last Sat. It may well take time to turn things around, but first and foremost the coaches and players have to take a good look in the mirror and be honest about what they need to do the start improving. The most critical thing at this stage is to get tight and fight for each other. If we don't do that sooner rather than later, it could drag us into a very bad place. People should not underestimate this league. If we can't even match the opposition with desire to compete, such as last Sat, then we are in big trouble. I am sure that it is in part a confidence issue, so the more senior players and coaches have to get stuck in now to get us through this problem. Nobody said it would be easy! Come on the Bridge!