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.

While the teams were down to 12 men Gareth Howells and Daniel Smith combined well to set up a try for Valley Cougars wing Matthew Williams, and Paul Emanuelli added the extra two for a 6-0 lead.

Four minutes later Smith again was involved in setting up a try for Craig Fox which Emanuelli again converted.

The Wolfhounds then hit back with a fine solo try from Adam Aigokhae but in the 30th minute 18 year old Blue Bull Nathan Hawkins came off the bench and scored Wales third with Cougars star Emanuelli again adding the extras.

Then deep into injury time an excellent break from Newport Titans fullback Scott Bessant saw Fox claim his second and Emanuelli’s kick made it 24-4 at half time.

The second half wasn’t as exciting as the first and despite early chances for both teams the scores stayed the same till the 70th minute when Gareth Howells sent Matthew Williams over his second. Richard Reaney then hit back for Ireland after a break by Shane Kelly.

But the final say went to Dave Norman who joined the Blue Bulls from the Dinefwr Sharks this year, the wing running 60 yards rounding four would-be Irish tacklers for a fine individual try, and Emanuelli again converted to give Wales an excellent 34-8 lead..

For the Dragonhearts Craig Fox was in excellent form and combined well with Cougars stand-off Emanuelli. Tylon Mafi, after his early trip to the sin-bin continued the fine form he has shown with the Blue Bulls with some great runs and crunching tackles. Gareth Howells and Daniel Smith were also in fine form and try scorers Nathan Hawkins and Dave Norman should also keep there jerseys against England after good displays.

The Dragonhearts next game is away to England on Saturday 10th July in Gloucester.

Meanwhile on Saturday the Bridgend Blue Bulls are back in action when they take on the Newport Titans at Porthcawl RFC, K.O 2pm. The Blue Bulls are expected to finally give a debut to former Samoan International and Wasps star Trevor Leota while Gareth David, Nathan Strong should also return.