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BLUE BULLS WIN 14 TRY THRILLER AT MAESTEG

Bridgend Blue Bulls 46-32 Valley Cougars

The Bridgend Blue Bulls gained revenge for the defeat earlier in the season at Nelson RFC by beating the Valley Cougars in the top of the table clash at Maesteg. The Cougars almost took the lead in the fourth minute but Ryan Sadler just failed to ground the ball after food work from Kevin James, and Bridgend made them pay as Matthew Hutchings and Craig Fox combined well to send Gareth Howells over for the opening score, Howells also converted.

Then minutes later Shaun Owens broke away, he was stopped short but the ball was spun out to Dave Norman who then passed back to Owens who crossed under the posts, Howells again converting for a 12-0 lead.
A crunching tackle on Cougars stand off Paul Emanuelli from Andrew Fryer prevented what looked like a certain score, but moments later the Valleymen did score with prop Mark ‘Blobby’ Jones crashing over.

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3 tries & out for Mcgrath as Bulls claim 1st ever win at Blackwood

The 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.

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OWENS SCORES FOUR AS BLUE BULLS CRUSH BEARS

In a game cut to 30 minutes each way the Bridgend Blue Bulls picked up a 12 try victory over the CPS Bears at Carmarthen Athletic RFC with scrum half Shaun Owens scoring four tries and Gareth David kicking 12 out of 12 goals. Gareth Howells opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a fine solo effort before a break from prop Connor McDonald sent Shaun Owens over for his first.

Craig Fox was then held up just short before former Crusader Karl Hocking scored after a great cross field kick by David. Then before the break Howells and Owens each grabbed a second and with Gareth David converting all five first half tries the Blue Bulls lead 30-0 at half time.
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Bulls 68 Demons 12

The Bridgend Blue Bulls ran in 13 tries to record there biggest ever victory over the Cardiff Demons with Gareth David claiming a hat-trick for the second successive game. The Bulls took the lead in the opening minute when Gareth Howells crashed through the Demons defence before offloading to wing Chris McGrath who raced over in the corner. That early score helped inspire Jon Purnells men to play some excellent Rugby League and soon after Gareth David broke through for a great solo try. Then a break from Pontycymmer teenager Rhys Hawkins resulted in David grabbing a second which he also converted to make it 14-0.
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DAVID HAT-TRICK HELPS BULLS TO BIG WIN

BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS 58-16 NEWPORT TITANS

Gareth David, playing his first game for the side in two years ran the show in the first half scoring a hat-trick. His first came in the first minute after a break from Lee Sims and he also converted for an early 6-0 lead.
Cameron Shannon came close to claiming a second minutes later before Shaun Owens went over in the corner after a 60 metre run from Daniel Smith. Smith was again involved in Bridgend’s third when he crashed through the Newport defence and gave a excellent offload to Chris McGrath, the wing then showed good speed before passing to his captain Craig Fox who slid under the posts, David again converting to make it 16-0.
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BLUE BULLS SIX IN FINE FORM FOR DRAGONHEARTS

WALES DRAGONHEARTS 34-8 IRISH WOLFHOUNDS

The Bridgend Blue Bulls supplied six players to the Wales Dragonhearts side that faced Ireland last Sunday and all did well in a convincing 34-8 victory at The Gnoll. Craig Fox, Daniel Smith, Gareth Howells, Dave Norman and Nathan Hawkins had all played for the Dragonhearts last year and they were joined by Tongan born Tylon Mafi, who made his Wales debut.

Mafi was in the action from the start and made two good runs before his passion got the better of him and the former Bridgend Athletic centre was sin-binned along with Irish loose-forward Paddy Barcoe.
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COUGARS CLAIM RECORD WIN OVER BLUE BULLS

June 5th
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.
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BULLS CLAIM RECORD WIN OVER BEARS

May 22nd
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.
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.
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CAPTAIN FOX

The Bridgend Blue Bulls will have a new captain this season in 30 year old Craig Fox, who along with player-coach Jon Purnell is one of just two players two have been with the Blue Bulls since the inaugural season of 2003.

Entry into games this season will be just £3, but a season ticket can be bought for just £10 which will allow supporters entry into all four home games plus any home play-off games.

Scott McRorie 9s Tournament

Scott McRorie 9s Tournament Photos - click here

BLUE BULLS LOSE IN 9s FINAL

For the second successive season the Bridgend Blue Bulls lost to the Valley Cougars in the Final of the Scott McRorie 9s Tournament, this year held at the Cougars own home at Nelson RFC.

The teams met in the opening Pool game and the hosts ran into an early 10-0 lead before Gareth David scored a great solo score. The Cougars then made it 16-6 before Bridgend rallied and claimed tries from David James and Lewis Tutt, but Cougar Dafydd Hellard scored the decisive score after a Bulls mistake to give his side a 22-18 win.

The second Pool game saw Bridgend play the newly formed Tydfil Wildcats and it seemed they would be heading home early when despite tries from Rhys Dowling and Christiaan Roets the Blue Bulls were down 14-10 with seconds remaining, but a great pass from Lloyd O’Connor sent Gareth Howells crashing over to draw the game 14-14 and Bridgend went through on points difference.

Shaun Owens was the star in the semi final against Cardiff Demons claiming an excellent hat-trick, while 17 year old Huw Rosser claimed a fourth. Chris Holcombe hit back twice for the Demons but the Blue Bulls held on for a 20-10 win.

In the final the Blue Bulls again met the Valley Cougars and again found themselves 10-0 down early on after tries for James Allen and Mark Powell. But Huw Rosser and Gareth Howells both crossed for Bridgend with Gareth David adding a single goal to bring scores level. Rosser almost claimed the winner and Shaun Owens also came close but it was Welsh Dragonhearts wing Steven Williams who became the hero claiming the winning try for the Cougars.

Despite losing in the final the Blue Bulls have unearthed a new talent in Huw Rosser, the 17 year old was drafted into the squad late on from the Blue Bull Heifers Tag Team and had an excellent tournament. Maesteg Quins flanker Lewis Tutt and Rhys Dowling and Mark Orpin from Bridgend Sports also had fine tournaments while as usual Gareth David, Shaun Owens and Lloyd O’Connor played well.

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Juniors Training

at Newbridge Fields - starts April 6th
Under 13 and Under 15's 6pm on Bandstand pitch (behind Rec Centre).

2009 Season Honours

PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2009: Shaun Owens
DARYL DYKE MEMORIAL AWARD (Clubman): David James
100% APPEARANCES AWARD: Chris McGrath

WALES DRAGONHEART CAPS AWARDED TO:
Matthew Hutchings
Grant Epton
Karl Davies
Nathan Hawkins
Jamie Murphy
Lloyd O'Connor
Shaun Owens
Craig Fox
Daniel Smith
Gareth Howells
Christiaan Roets
FULL WALES CAP AWARDED TO:
Christiaan Roets