photo by Paul Hart

The Bridgend Blue Bulls scored 11 tries including four from skipper Lloyd O'Connor as they beat the Dinefwr Sharks 56-5 at Porthcawl RFC.

It took Bridgend just two minutes to take the lead when Michael Daly, who was making his first start of the season after undergoing shoulder season sprinted away after a break from O'Connor to give the home side an early 4-0 lead.

The Sharks almost hit back through Steffan Davies but were then a break from Kyle Coulter sent Daly over for his second. Great play from debutant Nick Hopson and Tylon Mafi then sent scrum half Shaun Owens over before O'Connor and former Whitehaven prop Williams Burns both scored late and on, and Jamie Murphy added three first half goals to give the former Wales Champions a 26-0 half time lead.

The Blue Bulls have had a habit of conceding tries early in the second half, however on this occasion there line held firm but the West Walians did get the first score with a well struck long range field goal from fullback Dave Norman.

But then an excellent solo score from Gareth Howells put the Blue Bulls past 30 with Luke Hole converting. Centres Lee Smith and Nick Hopson, both making there first starts for the Bulls scored in quick succession to make the score 40-1 but then the best try of the game came when Sharks wing Chris Davies intercepted and ran 80 metres, he was finally run down by Mark Orpin but some great interplay between Davies, Davie Norman and Matt Pritchard finally saw Davies score for an excellent try.

The final 10 minutes belonged to Blue Bulls skipper Lloyd O'Connor, the hooker scoring three tries in that period, the final two seeing him break through a number of tired Sharks tackles. Luke Hole added a further two goals to make the final score 56-5 to Bridgend.

For the Bulls Gareth Howells and Tylon Mafi were in excellent form while the Sharks found it almost impossible to tackle Christiaan Roets. Lloyd O'Connor showed all his skills while scoring four tries and helping to set up at least two more and Michael Daly had a great return from injury.

The Sharks also had a number of good players but struggled after a suffering a number of early injuries. Dave Norman was in great form at fullback, Chris Davies and Dan Fox looked dangerous throughout while Matt Pritchard tackled brilliantly.

article by Simon Green
21 June 2009