photo by Ian Lovell

The Welsh Rugby League Conference goes into its second week this Saturday with all eight teams in action. Just two games were played last week with the Cardiff Demons pipping the Neath-Port Talbot Steelers 18-16 at Aberavon and the Valley Cougars hammering the West Wales Sharks 60-12 at Nelson RFC.

The Cougars will be hoping to continue that good form when they travel to Pontypool to take on the Torfaen Tigers. Cougars Chairman Mark Rowley said “I was really proud of the boys last week, we have a very young team and I was delighted with the way they performed, especially our two 16 year olds Lloyd Ford and Tom Rees. I would also like to thank Nelson RFC who hosted us for the first time and treated us brilliantly”

Meanwhile the Demons also hope to get a second victory when they host the Blackwood Bulldogs. The Demons have never beaten the Bulldogs but are confident after a fine opening victory.

Demons Andrew Bradshaw, a double try scorer last week said “We had a good hard fought victory last week against a Steelers side that has recruited very well

over the off season. But we also got some great new players who performed well last week and we are looking forward to our first home game”.

Reigning Welsh Champions Bridgend travel to Trimsaran to take on the West Wales Sharks and they are a much changed side from the one that lifted the title last August. With many players unavailable the Bulls are likely to hand up to eight players there debuts with Lewis Tutt, Idris Hanmer and 18 year old prop Rhys Williams all expected to make their first starts. The team will be lead once again by the inspirational Jon Purnell with Bulls stalwart Gareth David and former Crusader Dean Fitzgerald also expected to play.

The Bulls will however be wary and are expecting the Sharks to bite back after there heavy defeat against the Cougars and there side includes former Bull Christiaan Roets who was Bridgends top try scorer last summer.

The final game of the day sees last years runners-up Newport Titans tackle the Steelers and the Neath-Port Talbot side will be desperate to get back to winning ways after there narrow loss last week.

Cardiff Demons v Blackwood Bulldogs at St Peters RFC
Newport Titans v Neath-Port Talbot Steelers at Pil Harriers
Torfaen Tigers v Valley Cougars at Pontypool Utd RFC
West Wales Sharks v Bridgend Blue Bulls at Trimsaran RFC

article by Simon Green
23 May 2008