photo by Simon Green

A last second try from debutant Kyle Coulter and touchline conversion from Matthew Hutchings gave the Blue Bulls the narrowest of victories against a strong and determined Fighting Irish side.

Aberavon took a deserved lead after 10 minutes when loose forward Lawrence Griffiths scored after a great break from Gareth Moore with Mike Healey converting for a 6-0 lead.

But Bridgend hit back when Alan Bateman dummied his way past three would be tacklers before sending teenage centre Michael John over to score with Hutchings converting to draw things level. But the Fighting Irish retook the lead almost immediately after a mistake by Gerwyn Cape lead to wing Jason Connelly strolling under the posts with Healey once again converting.

Stand-off Aaron Warner then lowered the deficit to five with a cleverly struck field-goal, and on the half hour mark the Blue Bulls finally took the lead when a barging run from Tevita Manaseitava gave Alan Bateman enough space to score under the posts with Warner adding the extras.

But the final say of the half went to Aberavons Matthew Myat who scored after good work from Jason Massey to give the home side a three-point lead at the break.

The second half was a hard thought encounter which saw some great defensive play from both sides and it took some great individual skill from Jason Connelly to finally break the deadlock after 20 minutes when the young wing broke away and raced 80 metres to score and give the Fighting Irish a seven point lead.

Manaseitava then came close for the Bulls before some excellent work from Jon Purnell and Ross McGraw put loose forward Matthew Channel over for his fifth try in three games and Hutchings again converted to bring Bridgend to within a point. But Aberavon broke away again with just minutes to go and Connolly raced over for his hat-trick, but Mike Healey crucially missed the conversion.

That meant the Bulls could still sneak a win and in the final move of the game Aaron Warner broke free, he gave a great pass to Gareth Hopkins who feed Kyle Coulter, and the big 2nd row dragged three men over the line to score a try out wide. That brought Bridgend to within a point before fullback Matthew Hutchings calmly slotted over the touchline conversion to give the Bulls a 25-24 victory and seal the West Wales Conference Championship.

The Bulls were missing a number of players in this match but those who

stepped in were excellent and the coaches will have difficult selection decisions to make ahead of Saturdays play-off match.

Debutant Kyle Coulter was excellent and celebrated his call up with the match winning try, Matthew Channel was superb at loose forward and has been the find of the season while second row duo Tevita Manaseitava and Ross McGraw put in solid displays. Captain Jon Purnell lead from the front and had his best game in a Bulls jersey this season while hooker Dan Williams ran the game well.

Stand off Aaron Warner was the pick of the backs and looked dangerous throughout and his early field goal proved vital while the legend that is Alan Bateman again rolled back the years with a fine display. Michael John played well in his first game back since breaking his wrist and formed a good centre partnership with Gareth Hopkins, and Matthew Hutchings had another accomplished game at fullback and his kicks proved to be decisive as the Bulls were outscored five tries to four.

After the game Bulls captain Jon Purnell said, “we have a great team spirit in the squad and a hunger to win and this showed as we again came back from the dead to snatch victory. If we show the same fighting spirit over the next few weeks teams will find it very hard to beat us”.

On Saturday the Blue Bulls will face Blackwood Bulldogs in the Welsh Conference semi-finals at Porthcawl RFC, kick off 2:30pm. Blackwood have done brilliant to qualify for the play-offs in their first season and will be no pushovers. They lost their opening two games of the season but since then have gone on a six game unbeaten run. Bridgend coach Kevin Weaver said, “I have watched Blackwood play twice this season, they play a fast and wide game and it will be a big test”

The other semi final is between the Cardiff Demons and Aberavon Fighting Irish at St Peters RFC, the two winners will then play in the Wales Grand Final at The Brewery Field on Saturday 12th August.

FIGHTING IRISH SCORERS:
TRIES:
Lawrence Griffiths
Jason Connelly (3)
Matthew Myat
GOALS:
Mike Healey (2)

BLUE BULLS SCORERS:
TRIES:
Michael John
Alan Bateman
Matthew Channel
Kyle Coulter
GOALS:
Matthew Hutchings (3)
Aaron Warner
FIELD GOALS:
Aaron Warner

MAN OF THE MATCH:
Fighting Irish:  Jason Connelly
Blue Bulls: Ross McGraw

article by Simon Green
29 July 2006