The Bridgend Blue Bulls claimed there biggest ever score last Saturday, running in 16 tries to defeat the CPC Bears 90-30 with Gareth Howells scoring 30, including a hat trick of tries and nine goals. The previous highest score was an 84-1 win over the Swansea Bulls in 2003.

The Porthcawl based team were missing a number of players including captain Craig Fox, player-coach Jon Purnell and most of there Wales Dragonhearts but those selected did a brilliant job and they will have a welcome problem when it comes to picking the team for next weekends match.

Bridgend almost scored in the first minute when Lee Sims sprinted 70 yards, but the loose forward was brought down just short. Shaun Owens then went close before Lloyd O’Connor finally broke through for a sixth minute try, which Howells converted.

A Dave Norman break, then sent Tylon Mafi sprinting to the line before debutant Charles Stevenson scored just seconds after coming off the bench.

The Bears then hit back with a fine try from Alan Pope, which the wing also converted and they looked like claiming a second before a crunching tackle from James Elton dislodged the ball from the hands of Bear Steffan Jones, and Gareth Howells picked up and raced the length of the pitch for the Blue Bulls fourth, which he again converted.

Clever play from Rhys Dowling then set up a try for Dave Norman before replacement prop Mark Orpin, who first joined the team as a water boy in 2004 claimed his first score for the club, Australian Cameron Shannon converting.

A Rhys Hawkins break sent wing Chris McGrath sprinting down the line for his sides seventh, and Shaun Owens converted from the touchline and then another debutant, Kenfig Hills Gareth Lewis had the final say of the half when he made the most of some poor CPC defence to score in the corner, Owens again converting.

Centre Andrew Fryer scored early on in the second half after another Sims break before 17 year old Huw Rosser raced over for a great solo score.

But the Bears showed they can play some good Rugby League and hit back well, Alan Pope claiming a second before Tristan Davies intercepted for the Bears third, Pope converting both.

O’Connor then grabbed his second before David James picked up a loose pass and raced to the line to put the Blue Bulls past 60, Howells and Owens adding goals. Steffan James then raced over for the Bears fourth, Pope again converting before the excellent Howells ran in two more scores for Bridgend, his second another length of the field effort, and the Ravens centre also converted both to make it 78-24.

Chris Davies got a fifth try for the Carmarthen team but Fijian powerhouse Tevita Manaseitava barged over under the posts before captain for the day Shaun Owens raced in from 60 yards, and Howells added both kicks to give his side an empathic 90-30 win.

For the Blue Bulls MOTM Gareth Howells was in excellent form and will surely be picked again to represent Wales A this summer after scoring 30 points and creating a lot more. Scrum half and captain for the day Shaun Owens also had a fine game while forwards Tylon Mafi and Lee Sims tackled brilliantly and caused havoc for the Bears defenders.

The five debutants in the team also did well, especially Charles Stevenson in his first ever game of Rugby League, while Dave Norman and Gareth Lewis, who have transferred from the Dinefwr Sharks and NPT Steelers respectively will be great acquisitions.

Team Manager Simon Green said

“the lads were excellent, we were worried before the game as had so many players missing but those selected all did a good job and picking the team for this weekend will be very tough. Conceding five tries was not great and we will have to improve our defence before this Saturdays game, but we cant complain as even when we had the legendry trio of Ellis, Bateman and Devereux playing we never managed to score 90 points”

On Saturday the Blue Bulls are again at home and welcome reigning Champions Blackwood Bulldogs to Porthcawl RFC, K.O 2pm. Blackwood beat the Blue Bulls 36-22 in last years Grand Final in a brutal match played at Caerphilly, so Jon Purnells men will have to be at there very best to claim a second win of the 2010 campaign.

BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS SCORERS:
TRIES:
Lloyd O’Connor (2),Gareth Howells (3),Tylon Mafi, Charles Stevenson, Dave Norman, Mark Orpin, Chris McGrath, Gareth Lewis, Andrew Fryer, Huw Rosser, David James, Tevita Manaseitava, Shaun Owens
GOALS:
Gareth Howells (9), Shaun Owens (3), Cameron Shannon