The Bridgend Blue Bulls got their third straight victory in this years Welsh Rugby League Conference with a convincing 48-10 win away to the Neath-Port Talbot Steelers at Aberavon Quins RFC, the match having switched there from Corus RFC due to pitch problems.

The Bulls were missing player-coach Jon Purnell and outstanding young prop Rhys Hawkins due to injury and new captain Lloyd O'Connor due to work commitments but still managed to score nine tries against the team lead by former Celtic Crusader Dean Scully.

The game remained scoreless for the first 17 minutes with both teams spurning try scoring opportunities, but then a great break from centre Karl Davies resulted in the opening score for hooker Shaun Owens and Jamie Murphy converted to make it 6-0. Then two minutes later the Bulls scored a second with Matthew Hutchings crossing in the corner, and Murphy converted from the touchline to double Bridgend lead.

There should have been a third try moments later but Fijian Farrel Dan knocked on as he crossed the line, but Jamie Murphy made no mistake as he sped over the line after good work from debutant Gareth Howells, and Murphy again converted his own try to make it 18-0.

The Blue Bulls continued to pile on the pressure towards the end of first half and were rewarded with another two tries, Craig Fox going over after a quickly taken penalty then in the final move of the half Cameron Shannon weaved past three defenders to claim his first Blue Bulls try and Murphy kept up his 100% record with the boot adding both goals for a 30-0 half time lead.

The aim in the second half for the Blue Bulls was to keep the Steelers scoreless in the second half but the home team wrecked those plans after just a minute when scrum half Dai Fenton surprised the Bridgend defenders by taking a quick tap penalty and raced over for a fine try. Then less then a minute later Fenton went over for a second after a break from Dean Scully and Fenton also converted to make the score 10-30. But thats where the Steelers mini fight back ended as moments later Matthew Hutchings showed great pace to claim his second of the game.

Bridgend then had countless chances to further the lead but greed crept in as some went for glory instead of playing there sets and getting the ball wide to make sure of the score and it took till the 70th minute until Bridgend scored again when Shaun Owens claimed his second after a fine run from Lee Smith, then Farrel Dan made up for his first half fumble scoring out wide and Hutchings converted to make it 44-10.

Matthew Pritchard, on as a late replacement then almost scored with his first touch of the ball before Matthew Hutchings scored with the final move of the game to claim a fine hat-trick.

The Bulls were in top form for parts of the game scoring 30 points in a deadly 25 minute spell in the first half with wings Chris McGrath and Hutchings causing lots of problems for the Steelers defence. Australian Cameron Shannon also had a fine game and organised the team well in defence from Fullback. The centre pairing of Karl Davies and Nathan Hawkins looked dangerous throughout while half backs Jamie Murphy and Craig Fox worked well together and hooker Shaun Owens was once again outstanding in both attack and defence.

There were a number of changes in the forwards from the team who played against the Cardiff Demons the week before and they didn't let the team down with James Elton, Kyle Coulter and Rugby League debutant Gareth Howells, normally a centre for the Ravens all doing fine jobs.

Tongan Tylon Mafi had his best game in a Blue Bulls jersey after coming off the bench while Mathew Pritchard did a good job in his first game for almost two years.

After the game Bulls coach Jon Purnell said "we scored some greats and for most of the game our defence held firm, but we were at times greedy and went for glory when we should have kept it simple and just played our sets. Next weeks game against the Cougars will be much tougher and we cant afford to make the same errors and we must make every try scoring opportunity count".

The Blue Bulls next game is away to reigning Champions Valley Cougars on Sunday 7th June at Nelson RFC, kick off 2:30pm.