photo by Ian Lovell

The West Wales Rugby League Conference hits a crucial point this weekend with the Bridgend Blue Bulls, Aberavon Fighting Irish and Swansea Valley Miners all aiming for next months play-offs. The West Wales Sharks have little chance of making the play-offs but could have a major impact on who makes it as they have to play all three of their fellow West sides over the next two weeks.

On Saturday the Fighting Irish host the Valley Miners while the Blue Bulls travel to the New Dock Stars Ground to face the West Wales Sharks.

The Miners have found some good form recently, they beat Aberavon in their last meeting and only narrowly missed out on a win over the Blue Bulls after the reigning Champions scored two tries in the final five minutes. A win for Swansea will put them in contention for a play-off spot and will leave Aberavon having to win their remaining games to make sure they stay in the competition.

Meanwhile the Bridgend Blue Blues go into the final two weeks of the Conference Season with their captain Jon Purnell declaring “we want to retain our titles”. The Bulls are not as strong as they have been in previous years after losing a number of players to the Crusaders but Purnell sees no reason why his side can’t repeat last seasons triumphant season saying, “we have a very good squad with a strong set of forwards and talented backs and if we play to our full potential we are capable of beating anyone. But if we get beat by a better side we will accept that, all I ask is that every player gives 100%, if they do that I have no complaints”.

The Sharks though will not fall over easily and despite not having won a game this summer they have shown some good form and have match winners in James Bannister and will be chucking everything at the Bridgend on Saturday.

As we go into the penultimate round of the Picton Jones and Costley and Partners Premier Welsh Conference regular season, any one of four sides could still take the Eastern title.

Cardiff Demons will win it this Saturday if they can beat Torfaen Tigers at Pontypool United RFC and Blackwood Bulldogs lose at Valley Cougars’ Abercynon RFC (both kick-off 2.30pm).

However, their cause has been hampered by injuries to key players while on Welsh duty last week. Pat Howell broke his ankle while playing for the Wales under 19 side against France while Wes Palmer and Sean Gilbertson were both suffered hand injuries against Scotland A on Sunday. All are unlikely to play again this season.

Demons’ committee member Simon Davies knows this is a set back for the club but believes that the Demons could still be championship bound.

Davies said:  “The Demons have always been committed to representative rugby league. Any injuries we sustain in helping Wales to achieve victories are regrettable but part of the game. We have a big squad so we remain positive for the final two matches.”

Blackwood Bulldogs, playing their first season of rugby league, will look to keep up the pressure on Cardiff by winning in Abercynon. Blackwood know that a win for them and a defeat for the Demons will see the two sides level on points at the top of the table. This would set up a clash for the championship at Cardiff Demons’ St Peters RFC when the two teams meet on Saturday 29 July.

Bulldogs media manager Wayne Hughes said: “We never believed that we would be in this situation at the start of the season – we were just looking to play all of our games and survive. We’ve made remarkable progress and we’ve really got something to aim for over the next couple of weeks.”

The Cougars have still to win a match this season following their 40-60 defeat at Torfaen on Wednesday and must claim a victory themselves to have any hope of not finishing bottom in 2006.

article by Simon Green & Ian Golden
20 July 2006