photo by Simon Green

The Bridgend Blue Bulls were made to work hard for their 38-18 win over the West Wales Sharks at the New Dock Stars Ground in Llanelli with the Sharks showing great pride and team spirit in only their second ever game.

The game remained scoreless for the first 20 minutes with both sides squandering chances before Sharks centre Mark Cook raced over for a great solo score which was converted by Jonathon Griffiths.

The Bulls hit back with a great try for wing Ed Tooley but the home team then went 12-4 in front after some slack defending let in Gavin Maphias, with Griffiths again adding the extras.

Bridgend finally took control in the last ten minutes of the half, Tooley set up Lloyd Paget for the Bulls 2nd before Dan Williams and Neil Dixon crossed to give the Blue Bulls a 16-12 half time lead.

In the 2nd half Bridgend showed their experience and defended well against a plucky and determined West Wales side,

Loose forward Simon Mustoe then showed great speed to race over for Bridgends seventh before Tevita Manaseitava battered his way over the line for their eighth.

But the final word went to the Sharks excellent centre Mark Cook who scored a length of the field try in the dying seconds to make the final score 38-18 to Bridgend.

SHARKS SCORERS:
TRIES:
Mark Cook (2)
Gavin Maphias
GOALS:
Jonathon Griffiths (3)

BLUE BULLS SCORERS:
TRIES:
Ed Tooley
Lloyd Paget
Dan Williams
Neil Dixon
Paul Smithson
Michael John
Simon Mustoe
Tevita Manaseitava
GOALS:
Matthew Hutchings (3)

MEN OF THE MATCH:
West Wales Sharks:- Mark Cook
Bridgend Blue Bulls - Anthony Isaac

article by Simon Green
10 June 2006