From Bluebirds To Ravens

Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.

Yesterday did something I haven't done for about eight months....I went to a rugby union game.

In fact that statement would actually sound even more weird when I mention that in terms of the home team, Bridgend Ravens, a ten minute drive from where we live it's not been eight months but about four years.

A combination of factors work against me and going to the local team regularly. It was originally unemployment but when I got a job I regularly work weekends. And when I don't work weekends there is...... well....a football match somewhere.

As I've explained before my view of rugby is exactly the same as my view of coffee. I don't dislike coffee but for the most part given the choice I would pick tea. Similarly though I've nothing against rugby given the choice football would always win.

However on this particular night the universe and the stars combined again that I was able to the game for the Fosters Challenge Cup between Bridgend (nicknamed the Ravens) and Neath RFC. And this alignment don't forget meant that I was able to see two sporting events in a week. I'll wait for the comet later.

The ground, Brewery field was much fuller than I'd expected. So much so couldn't park at the spaces by the place and instead the Picanto was placed in one relatively nearby. As I've explained before about a decade ago Welsh rugby was reorganised so that an elite four teams that play in the Guiness Pro12 league (along with teams from Ireland, Italy and Scotland). All these teams are spared the trauma of relegation which means that those clubs outside the Pro12 become feeder clubs. Whatever history they had previously was of no importance to the Welsh Rugby Union.If you're outside the big four your position now was to serve them. In Bridgend's case the great god Ospreys.

Now of course this is a pen picture. The history is a bit more complex than that particularly when it equates to Bridgend and Pontypridd. Still if you're a white male and want to experience the glass ceiling that women and people of colour feel then support a rugby team in Wales, Ireland, Italy or Scotland that's outside the Pro12.

Of course there is the tradition now when going to a sporting match that I claim person to read a particular type of book during the breaks in a game. So let me now claim the first person to read Ibsen in Brewery Field.

For Posterity

Posted this on Twitter and someone came back at half time asking what was happening in the book. Responded that at the moment the priest was refusing to visit his dying mother.....it's a comedy.

I arrived just a few minutes before the match begin just in time for the teams to be announced. When the Bridgend team was being gone through I was surprised that almost every name was followed by "sponsored by.....". The one that really got my attention was the guy that was partly sponsored by a funeral care firm. Must admit I had these visions of decades to come he would be buried with the company's logo on the coffin.

The game begins

Do you remember I mentioned glass ceilings earlier?

Look at the area where the coaches/subs sit

The coaches/subs are modelled in a manner because of their sponsor when they were built. They are modelled on...wait for it...conservatories...yes I know.

Neath started well. They appeared to have decided that charging head on into their opponents without fear for their personal safety was the best tactic in dealing with their opponents given that a lot of their players seemed suitable to approach. Appeared to be working as well. First a penalty then another they were six nil ahead. Then came an impressive try and conversion. Thirteen nil to the visitors.

Throughout the game there was mixed with the action  long periods of nothing happening. Partly because of injuries but also because the ref was Mr Picky. There were moments when I'd wondered whether I was watching the mannequin challenge.

Towards the end of the half though Bridgend scored two tries and conversions in quick succession. The scorer of the second try is apparently sponsored by Engineering Services, who must have been happy.

Second half begins

Early in the second half Bridgend scored another try. By a man who scored twice but for whatever reason is bereft of a sponsor. The kicker of conversions however by the local Ford dealership and an aircraft company. This leads to a question. If the player has a journey which he could take by car or by a plane provided by the firm what does he do? It's a moral dilemma for our times.

Anyway 19-13 was the score. Incidentally I missed a large portion of that try....because my view was blocked by those damned conservatories.

For reasons I couldn't fathom (where is a TV replay when you want one?) two Bridgend players (on separate occasions) were sinbinned. And the sin bin was....yes you guessed it..... sponsored. Apparently by a sandwich company. I've tweeted the Ravens suggested they should be more imaginative in the sponsor. I've suggested Ann Summers.

Despite all Neath's efforts though they couldn't put their superiority into points barring a penalty. There was a movement which started from a lineout which almost got a try but was thwarted by all hands on deck Ravenite defending.

This was the start of the move

19-16 then. However despite the disadvantages Bridgend scored an impressive try on the non conservatory wing by Mr Dan "Engineering Services" Howells. The final score was 24 -16. The Ravens were in the semi final of this competition and they performed well after a bad,bad start.

I enjoyed the game. I won't lie and say it converted me to rugby over football. But as previously said don't dislike coffee and should the opportunity ring the doorbell I'd go again.

Until the next time.