photo by Ian Lovell

Bridgend Blue Bulls will be one game away from their third British Conference Premier crown if they beat St. Albans Centurions in the semi-finals at Aretians RFC, home of Bristol Sonics RLFC on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).

Bridgend qualified for the competition after beating Newport Titans 24-18 in the Wales Grand Final four weeks ago while the St Albans Centurions beat South London Storm 18-10 in the South of England Final.

The Blue Bulls won the Harry Jepson Trophy in 2003 and 2005 will be sweating over a number of key players who will be in action for their Union clubs the previous day. Because of this, they have named a squad of 22 and will not name their starting team until just before the game.

Blue Bulls Team Manager Simon Green said: “We have a very strong squad but most of our players will have to play two games in a weekend which is not ideal preparation for a big semi final.

But we expect most of the lads who played in the Welsh Final to be available. We are in confident mood and desperately want to regain the British crown.”

The Blue Bulls have the unusual position of being underdogs for the trophy this year as all three other semi-finalists are former National League Three clubs. The Centurions, despite reaching the final eliminator of National League Three last year, took voluntary relegation for financial reasons and will start as favourites on Sunday.

The five times Welsh Champions have never faced St Albans before but a few of the Blue Bulls players did take on the Centurions in the Northern Rail Cup while with the Celtic Crusaders last year winning 72-0 and 62-0. Should they beat the former NL3 team they will face either Carlisle Centurions or former NL3 champions Coventry Bears in the final on Sunday 9th September.

SQUAD: Marc Davies, Matthew Hutchings, Neil Dixon, Arran Warner, Pete Dalle Cort, Paul Morgan, Christiaan Roets, Geraint Lewis, Michael John, David James, Paul Smithson, Craig Fox, Dan Williams, Jon Purnell (capt), Anthony Isaac, Matthew Morgan, Tevita Manaseitava, Griff Davies, Ross Megraw, Carle Ellis, Marcus Sainsbury, Simon Mustoe

article by Ian Golden
31 August 2007