fifth conversion of the night to make the score 38-6.

However, the Cougars staged a comeback which led to an exciting finish. Midway through the second half, their continued pressure paid off with a James Allen try.

The pressure continued and Blackwood made a few mistakes allowing the Cougars to get on a roll. Breakingbury added his second, John Lewis soon followed with Breakingbury completing the second hat trick of the night, finishing off with the try of the game which was a length of the pitch run following an interception.

Unfortunately time was against the Cougars but Blackwood reaped the benefit of their first half effort.

Blackwood Bulldogs vice-chairman, Andrew Smith said: "It was good to see the lads pulling together; they put their heart and soul into that game and it's
great to get our first points."

CymruRL and Cougars chairman Mark Rowley said: "It was a great game of rugby and a great fight back from the Valley Cougars. It was good to see hat tricks from John Breakingbury and David James who have both this week been selected as part of the Wales A squad."

article by Ian Golden
21 June 2006