photo by Ian Lovell

The Welsh Conference Premier reaches the semi-final stage this Saturday with two intriguing clashes.

Two old rivals come to battle for the fourth time in their history at St Peters RFC when Cardiff Demons host Aberavon Fighting Irish. The Demons finished top of the Eastern Conference on points difference to Blackwood following their 10-10 draw last week while Aberavon finished runners-up in the West to Bridgend Blue Bulls despite losing their last two matches.

Aberavon currently hold the Indian sign over the men from the big city having won the previous three encounters but the Demons are having their best campaign in three years and club director Simon Davies believes that this could finally be their year.

Davies said: “Coach Anthony Loxton has been active in identifying a number of new players in the off-season and the juniors that have come through our development programme are maturing into a useful unit. Three years ago, we met Aberavon at the same stage only to lose 45-21. We all remember the acute disappointment of that day as we matched the Fighting Irish up to 55 minutes but fell away at the end. Obviously we’re hoping that this time, with three year’s more experience and the benefit of home advantage, it should be a lot closer and I hope we can make our first ever Welsh final.”

Aberavon coach Jason Massey remembers playing in that semi-final match three years ago - a game that took place on Britain’s hottest ever day when temperatures out on the field were reaching 38 degrees celsius.

Massey said: “It was absolutely roasting out there – both temperature and intensity of the game. It was a really good game and it was special for us as it was first time we’d ever played Cardiff. No pun intended but it was a heated affair with no love lost. There was nothing nasty, but it was hard and both sides were up for it, especially us as it was our first year.

“These days though, we have a completely different side - we’re much younger and we’re missing a few experienced players this week so I think we’ll find it tough. But a lot of our young players have international experience so they know what a big game is like. They come up against players like Allan Bateman and John Purnell last week and held them right to the end. Whatever happens this Saturday, we’re looking good for the future.”

Meanwhile, Blackwood Bulldogs face the biggest game in their short existence when they travel to Porthcawl RFC to face Bridgend Blue Bulls. The Bulldogs have by far exceeded their own expectations by reaching the play-offs in their inaugural season but would love to go one step further by beating Bridgend and reaching the Welsh Grand Final at the Brewery Field on August 12th.  

After losing their opening two games the guys from Gwent have gone on a six game unbeaten run and only narrowly missed out on being crowned East Wales Conference Champions on points difference to the Cardiff Demons.

Blackwood coach Roger Moore said: "We are very excited to be where we are and are looking forward to this occasion, we have no superstars but we have a great squad all of whom have been outstanding and everyone is looking forward to playing against Bridgend. We naturally want to win and be in next week’s final but whatever happens, it’s been a successful campaign which has given a great bunch of boys the opportunity to play this fantastic game.”

photo by Ian Lovell

The Blue Bulls meanwhile have gone from strength to strength since losing their opening game of the season to Aberavon and have gone on a seven match unbeaten run since then. The team barely resembles the side that claimed the Welsh and British Conference trophies last season but they have recruited well and unearthed lots of talented youngsters.  

Bridgend Team manager Simon Green said: "In the weeks leading up to the season everyone kept telling me that the Blue Bulls were dead after losing so many to the Crusaders, but we have proved all our doubters and critics wrong and I am so proud of the guys who have come in. As well as losing many of our star players at the start of the season we also had no money, no kit, no coach and no home ground, but the players have just got on with the job and the attitude and spirit has been amazing.”

The Blue Bulls are likely to start with the same pack of forwards who triumphed against the Fighting Irish last weekend while in the backs Carle Ellis and Geraint Lewis return to add experience. Marc Bennett, Simon Mustoe, Griff Davies and Marcus Sainsbury also return and are likely to start from the bench.

The only certainty after Saturday’s game is that there will be a Bulls team in the Wales Grand Final, whether it will be the reigning champions or the new boys from Gwent is too close to call.

article by Ian Golden and Simon Green
3 August 2006