The Valley Cougars put in an excellent first half to secure only there second ever victory over the Bridgend Blue Bulls last Saturday. The Nelson based side had a great group of forwards and they built a great platform which lead to early tries from Matthew Williams and Carl Thomas, with Paul Emanuelli adding a goal to give the home side a 10-0 lead.

Loose forward Lee Sims almost hit back for the Blue Bulls but he was held up just short of the line and the Cougars made Bridgend pay, Matthew Williams raced away for his second try before New Zealander Troy Brockbank sent up a score for Kevin James, Emanuelli adding both conversions to make it 22-0.

The Blue Bulls should have scored moments later after a great break from Shaun Owens, but the normally reliable hands of Gareth Howells could not catch hold of the scoring pass and again the Valleymen took advantage scoring twice in quick succession through James Allen and Rhodri Morris. Bridgend finally got over the line in the 35th when a break by debutant Connor McDonald resulted in Tylon Mafi powering over, with Gareth Howells converting, but Emanuelli had the last say kicking a late penalty to make it 36-6 at the break.

The Blue Bulls started the second half the better and threatened a come back, a great chip and chase by captain Craig Fox and clever pass from Seveti Tuiselotu sent another debutant in Sean Haren over, and seconds later Tevita Manaseitava crashed through the Cougars line and raced 80 metres to score, Howells added both kicks to make it 36-18. But Liam Williams scored after a great cross field kick from Emanuelli, then Mark Powell scored with Emanuelli converting from the touchline to make it 46-18.

Teenage duo Huw Rosser and Nathan Hawkins then combined well to send Daniel Smith over for the Blue Bulls fourth score before Mark Orpin set up a try for Gareth Howells, Howells converting both.

Bridgend were hoping for three more quick tries to bring the scores level but it was the Cougars day they ended the game with three more scores though Mark Jones, Liam Thomas and James Allen, with Paul Emanuelli adding two more goals for a convincing 62-30 win.

Paul Emanuelli was in excellent form for the Cougars and put in a great kicking game, while forwards Liam Williams, Jon Sanigar and Troy Brockbank were in great form, and if they continue this form the Cougars could be lifting the Wales Trophy for the second time in three years.

Stand out players for the Blue Bulls were Tylon Mafi and Daniel Smith who tackled hard and run hard throughout, while debutants Jamie Lorimer, Sean Haren and Connor McDonald did well in there first ever games of Rugby League.

After the game Team Manager Simon Green said “we were in confident mood before the game but we started poorly and they took full advantage, we now know the areas where we have to improve and will be working hard in training over the next two weeks before we play Newport Titans. We lost to a very good well drilled team but it’s a long season and we know we can play far better, and we will”.

The Blue Bulls hope to arrange a friendly fixture for this Saturday but will be without six players who have been named in the Wales Dragonhearts to take on Ireland at the Gnoll on Sunday with Craig Fox, Gareth Howells, Dave Norman, Tylon Mafi, Daniel Smith and Nathan Hawkins all selected.

BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS SCORERS:
TRIES:
Tylon Mafi, Sean Haren, Tevita Manaseitava & Gareth Howells
GOALS:
Gareth Howells (4)