photo by Simon Green

It's semi-final weekend in the Co-operative Welsh Conference Premier on Saturday as Bridgend Blue Bulls host Valley Cougars at Porthcawl RFC, while Newport Titans welcome Neath-Port Talbot Steelers at Pil Harriers (both kick-off at 2.30pm).

Reining Champions Bridgend will be hoping to gain revenge for their only defeat this season after they lost away to the Cougars 27-24. They welcome back Matthew Morgan, Anthony Isaac and Craig Fox for the tie and the game could see veteran scrum half Kevin Ellis make his comeback as the former Bridgend captain and Warrington star is expected to be named on the bench.

Bulls captain Jon Purnell (above) said: "We will have to be at our very best to get a result on Saturday, the Cougars beat us up in Ferndale and we stole a late victory in our last match against Newport, so we will have to improve if we want to make it to the final and hold on to our title. It’s a title we have held for four years and we don't want to lose it.”

The Cougars will travel to Porthcawl in confident mood after they defeated Blackwood Bulldogs 40-13 in last

"We have beaten them once and I we will be going all out to do it again" said Cougars Chairman Mark Rowley, "Most will be expecting the Bulls to win so we go to Porthcawl with nothing to lose.”

At Pil Harriers’ ground, Newport Titans will be favourites to defeat Neath-Port Talbot Steelers but will be wary, as the Steelers, who finished seventh in the league table, beat second placed Torfaen Tigers in last weeks play-off game and when known as the Aberavon Fighting Irish they always finished in the top two.

Steelers’ coach Mike Healey said: “We have had a poor season by our standards, but all the lads have worked really hard and the commitment has been fantastic. Few gave us a chance against Torfaen so we are happy to be underdogs and a win this weekend and a place in the Wales Grand Final will be a great reward for all the effort the players have put in over the summer.”

Meanwhile Titans’ coach Dan Clements is also eager to reach the final saying: "This has been our most successful ever season and we would love to go one further and reach our first ever final, that would make all the hard work the boys have put in over the summer worth while and we can't wait to get back on to the pitch.”

article by Simon Green
26 July 2007