photo by Mark Harris

Rugby league comes to Ferndale for the first time on Wednesday night when Valley Cougars host Torfaen Tigers in the second round of the Co-operative Welsh Conference Premier (kick-off 7pm).

The Cougars topped the table after the opening round thanks to a superb 74-12 victory over the West Wales Sharks at Llanelli, which was the Cougars first win in almost two years, and a second win for them will put them back up in pole position.

But the Tigers, who lost 54-24 at home to Bridgend Blue Bulls, will prove strong opposition for them as they know a win is necessary to kick start their season.

The Cougars are keeping to their promise of taking rugby league around the Rhondda Cynon Taff area. So far in their history, they have played home matches

in Abercynon, Pontypridd and Pontyclun but this season Ferndale RFC is their host club.

“We want to spread rugby league around the valleys,” said Wales Rugby League and Valley Cougars chairman Mark Rowley. “Ferndale RFC is a good ground and they are friendly hosts. We hope to have a good crowd on Wednesday night.

Last weeks victory at Llanelli was the Cougars first victory in almost two seasons and coach Mark Rowley is eager for his side to make it “two wins out of two”.

“We’ve got a good team this year with players like John Breakingbury who used to play for Sheffield Eagles, while Lee Williams and Owen Lewis are doing well on the international scene and are on Celtic Crusaders’ books. This could be one of our best seasons yet.”

Both the Cougars and the Tigers will be in action again on Saturday when they travel to Neath-Port Talbot Steelers and Newport Titans respectively, other games on Saturday see the Bridgend Blue Bulls host the Blackwood Bulldogs at Porthcawl and the West Wales Sharks host the Cardiff Demons.

article by Ian Golden & Simon Green
29 May 2007