photo by Ian Lovell

The two unbeaten teams in this years Welsh Rugby League Conference both have home advantage this weekend with the Blackwood Bulldogs facing the Torfaen Tigers and the Valley Cougars hosting the Newport Titans at Nelson RFC.

The Bulldogs now look favourites to finish top of the table with three big wins as they get ready for the Tigers and there spokesman Andrew Smith said “we are very pleased with the season as it has gone so far and we are looking forward to Saturdays game. We are also hoping we can get a few picked for the Wales A game in Scotland on the 21st. The coaching staff are working very hard & the players a responding well, and we must not forget the backroom staff here at Blackwood who have been brilliant”.

But the Cougars will also be a huge threat and are still unbeaten after their 32-32

draw against Bridgend last Saturday, they face a Titans team who narrowly beat the Demons last week.

At St Peters RFC the Cardiff Demons welcome the Bridgend Blue Bulls hoping for their first ever win over the reigning Champions. Bridgend welcome back Simon Mustoe, Michael John and Craig Fox for the clash and hope scrum-half Lloyd O’Connor continues his fine form that has seen him score four tries in the opening three games. The Bulls will also be hoping that Pencoed product Andrew Fryer will be available after impressing on his debut last weekend and are again likely to select 17 year olds Rhys Hawkins and Tom Johnson.

The final game sees the NPT Steelers do battle with the West Wales Sharks at Aberavon Green Stars ground, and with both teams yet to record a win a victory will be vital as the bottom placed team will miss out on the play-offs at the end of the season. Sharks Chairman Gareth Govier said “despite a difficult opening match against the Cougars we haven’t been too disappointed with our performances to date. Over two thirds of the squad are new to the club this year and also to Rugby League, so we appreciate we will have to be patient as players develop and improve”.

article by Simon Green
12 June 2008