photo by Simon Green

Bridgend Blue Bulls host the Blackwood Bulldogs this weekend at Porthcawl RFC in a game that has been labelled “the re-match”. The sides last met in the 2006 Welsh semi-final when the Bulldogs were just seconds away from defeating the Blue Bulls who have held the title since 2003.

Blackwood led Bridgend by 17 points with less than 10 minutes to go but late tries from Simon Mustoe, Matthew Hutchings and a last second score from Arran Warner gave Bridgend a dramatic 32-31 victory in what was one of the best games since the Welsh Conference began.

Bridgend’s hero on that day was wing Arran Warner who scored the late winner along with a first half interception. He again lines up against the Gwent side and ahead of the game said: “They were probably the best side we played last season and we were lucky to come away with the victory, but it was great to win such a dramatic game and I have to thank Matthew Hutchings who put in an excellent kick to allow me to score the winning try”.

Meanwhile Bulldogs coach Roger Moore said: “My heart was in bits after the game last year, it was our first season as a Rugby League side and we came within seconds of making the Wales final which was a great achievement but we’d love to go one better this year and beat the Blue Bulls”.

Just down the coast from Porthcawl the Neath-Port Talbot Steelers take on the Valley Cougars at Aberavon Green Stars RFC.  The Cougars had a great start to the season hammering the West Wales Sharks before losing at home to Torfaen Tigers last Wednesday but the Steelers have had a shaky start and have lost both their opening fixtures.
 
Meanwhile the Sharks host the Cardiff Demons at their new Furnace RFC home who host their first ever Rugby League game. The Demons had a great start to the season beating the Steelers but lost by a single point to Blackwood last Saturday and are desperate to get their season back on track this weekend.

The final game this weekend sees a Gwent derby between the unbeaten Newport Titans and Torfaen Tigers at Pil Harriers RFC. A win for Newport will see them top the table and become serious challengers to title favourites Bridgend while Torfaen will want to claim their second win in a week after beating the Cougars on Wednesday.