IThe Bridgend Blue Bulls claimed there first win over reigning Champions Blackwood Bulldogs for three years and there first ever win at Glan-y-Afon Park with a 52-34 victory. The Bulldogs got off to a good start when hooker Byron Williams scored in the opening minute but the next eight minutes belonged to Chris McGrath. The wing had only scored three tries in total during his four seasons with Bridgend but he raced over for a superb hat-trick in record time.

Great play from Tylon Mafi and Matthew Hutchings sent him over for his first then a Lindsey McCausland run resulted in his second before a great cross field kick from Gareth David fell perfectly for McGrath who touched down for a third with just nine minutes on the clock. But his celebrations were painful as the Bridgend Athletic Union player chipped a bone in his leg while crossing and had to be carried off the field. David kicked a single goal.

With McGrath off Shaun Owens took over and scored a great solo try before David kicked ahead and speedster Lindsey McCausland hacked on and won the race to the ball for the Blue Bulls fifth, David converting both Fullback Matthew Hutchings then piled more misery on the home team scoring after a great break by Andrew Fryer before Dan Smith showed great speed to make the line after good work from his fellow Pontycymmer player Lee Smith, David converted both but Blackwood had the final say scoring in the corner to make it 38-10 at the break.

The Bulldogs scored again early in the second half to make it 36-14 but Connor McDonald hit straight back to put Bridgend past 40. A second score from Bryon Williams then made it 42-20 before a great solo score from Gareth Howells furthered the Blue Bulls lead. The game then turned sour and the Bulldogs had a man sent off for alledged racial abuse on a Bridgend player and moments later Blue Blues scrum half Shaun Owens followed and was red carded for a high tackle.

In the final 20 minutes the Blue Bulls lost their way, with many in the team angry with what had occurred and Blackwood took advantage scoring three tries to make it 46-34, but the excellent Gareth David made sure of the victory late on by claiming a great solo try, and he kicked his sixth conversion to make the final score 52-34 to Bridgend. For Bridgend wing McGrath had the best eight minutes of Rugby in his career showing great knowledge of the game and great support play to claim the quickest hat-trick in Blue Bulls history, while his fellow wing Lindsey McCausland showed great speed and played well in his first start.

Gareth Howells and Andrew Fryer were excellent and have formed a great centre partnership, with Fryer edging the Man of the Match with some fierce tackling. Hutchings had a fine game and Bridgend will hope they have the Scorpions fullback for the remainder of the summer while half backs Gareth David and Shaun Owens again ran the show. Captain and hooker Craig Fox lead his troops well, while his props Charles Stevenson and Nathan Strong were solid throughout. Second rows Dan Smith and Tylon Mafi and loose forward Nathan Hawkins all caused havoc when they had the ball and made the hard yards well.
Bridgend also had a very strong bench with Tevita Manaseitava, Rhys Hawkins, Connor McDonald, Matthew Morgan, Jon Purnell, Ben Thomas and Lee Smith all playing there part in an excellent win.

After the game Blue Bulls captain Craig Fox said

“it was great to beat the reigning Champions in there own back yard, they defeated us three times last year and we had never won at Blackwood before, the win also sets us up nicely for the top of the table clash with the Valley Cougars next Saturday. We played very well in the first half but were poor in the second and got dragged down into a fight when we should have just concentrated on playing Rugby League“

Team Manager Simon Green added

“We were very angry and upset with what occurred in the 60th minute and if its proved that racist language was used then we will be asking the WRL and RFL to take action as it does not belong in the game”

The game against the Cougars next Saturday has been moved from Porthcawl and will take place at Maesteg RFC, this is due to the Porthcawl Carnival taking place on the same day. The match will kick off at 2pm.

BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS SCORERS:
TRIES:
Chris McGrath (3)
Shaun Owens
Lindsey McCausland
Matthew Hutchings
Dan Smith
Connor McDonald
Gareth Howells
Gareth David
GOALS:
Gareth David (5)