photo by Simon Green

Aberavon Fighting Irish deservedly won the opening match in the West Wales Conference with a 50-32 victory over reigning Harry Jepson Trophy champions, Bridgend Blue Bulls.

Bridgend were without over 20 players, many of whom were on union duty this weekend. Because of this, the Bulls team contained six players who had never before played rugby league before, the pick of which was Ryan Morgan who showed lightning pace in claiming his hat-trick while fellow debutants Michael Johns and Lee Beech had fine games.

Aberavon got off to a great start with an early try for wing Adam Dawe. He was soon followed over the try line by full-back Richard Lewis and stand off Liam Gadd with Gadd also kicking two goals to give the visitors a 16-0 lead.

But the young Bulls side fought back bravely and two quick tries from debut wing Ryan Morgan and a goal from Jon Williams brought Bridgend back to within six.

However a superb last ten first half minutes from the Fighting Irish saw them score three more tries through Matthew Bradley, Mike Healy and Greg Diks to give them a deserved 32-10 half-time lead.

The Bulls came out firing in the second half with an early try from Tongan wing Tylan Mafi gave them hope but a second try from Adam Dawe and scores from Ben Davies and Mark Burke put Aberavon 50-16 up and a record score looked on the cards.

But the Bulls were not going to down without a fight and two scores from Bridgend’s outstanding hooker Lloyd Paget plus a third from wing Ryan Morgan made the scoreline respectable.

For Aberavon, second row Robbie Morgan was outstanding and named man of the match while wing Adam Dawe and David Dyers were on top form as was the kicking from the excellent Liam Gadd. In this form the Fighting Irish can look forward to a very successful season.

Article by Simon  Green
20 May 2006