WRL Premier League – week 1 reports

VALLEY COUGARS 66 RHONDDA OUTLAWS 10

Valley Cougars started their defence of the Welsh Premier League title with a 66-10 win over local rivals Rhondda Outlaws.

Gethin King started the ball rolling as early as the fourth minute with Mike Hurley kicking the first of his seven goals. A Brandon Aviet try which Hurley improved, doubled the lead to 12-0 on eight minutes.

Two Cougars’ players notched try hat-tricks, Ross Jones scoring his first two in the first half, identical catches from cross-field kicks.

Between that brace, Andrew Prouse had got a try back for Outlaws, with Kevin James soon adding another with Max Hendy converting.

Steffan Jones’ 34^th minute try, Cougars’ fifth of the half, brought the score to 28-10 at half-time.

Valley Cougars let rip in the second half. Liam Price was first over, Jones completed his hat-trick whilst Liam Bodman and Mike Hurley also ran over.

Full-back Dan Davies’ late contribution was a hat-trick of tries in the last 15 minutes with Ben Jones converting two of them.

CARDIFF BLUE DRAGONS 18 TORFAEN TIGERS 60

Torfaen Tigers were disadvantaged for over half of their game against Cardiff Blue Dragons after having a man sent off but they still romped to a 60-18 win.

Last season’s runners up were 30-4 up at half-time and even though Jack Watkins saw red for an alleged off the ball incident, it didn’t affect Torfaen at all after the break.

After an early Jamie Iles try for Cardiff, Torfaen took over.

Matt Williams led the way for the visitors with a hat-trick of tries with Joshua Symonds adding two. Sam Hancox, Jarad Hinnem, Darrel Moyle, Lewis Ridout, Eauan Morris, Jack Watkins and Ieaun Lever all scored one try each.

Andrew Barlow converted five of the tries with Sam Hancox taking and scoring the final kick.

Cardiff did hit back three times in the second half – the first a Ross Jones try converted by Liam Carey, one from Ashley Stephens on the hour and another from Don King with the final move of the game.