8-32, but Dai Owen responded with a try from a Cardiff error on 54 minutes. Lenny Woodard made sure of his hat-trick on the hour when he pounced on a grubber kick, but Gareth Jones restored some pride for the Demons with a well worked try which he converted himself to make the score 14-42.

However Bridgend had the last words, first with Dai Owen securing his own hat-trick when he latched on to a pass thrown wide to the left and tipped by Woodard. As time ran out the enthusiastic Welsh crowd were treated to a memorable moment of brilliance from Kevin Ellis which brought back memories of his days at Wilderspool when he picked up a loose ball ten metres out and manufactured a great try for Lloyd O’Connor to give the Blue Bulls their biggest win over Cardiff. Bridgend’s winning run extends to 22 games and they remain on course for the Welsh Conference Championship and the chance to retain the Harry Jepson Trophy.

Cardiff coach Wayne Williams was philosophical in defeat ‘We’ll take a lot of positives from today, Bridgend are a quality side but we’ve scored some good tries in the second half. We need to lose the habit we’ve had all season of starting off too slowly.”

Article by Simon Davies
19 Jun 2004