Semi-finals confirmed in Welsh Premier League

BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS 38 RHONDDA OUTLAWS 36

By Jarrad Vanagas at Pyle RFC

Bridgend Blue Bulls led for one second of their Premier League game against Rhondda Outlaws in Pyle, but it was the most important second of the game as they ran out 38-36 winners.

It was heartbreak for the Pontypridd-based Outlaws who had led for over 70 minutes in the game after Daf Smith had given them an early lead with the first of his hat-trick of tries after just six minutes.

Rhys Pope pulled the Bulls level five minutes later with an unconverted try but Rhys Pope’s unconverted score soon put Rhondda 8-4 up.

Smith then got his second, converted by Taine Hendy to give the Outlaws a 10-point lead, before Dan Forrester scored under the sticks with Gareth Howells converting to bring it back to 14-10.

Further unconverted tries from Smith and Wayne Harrison made it 22-10 to Outlaws but when Kerran Tomlin scored following a great run by Owen Thomas, the Bulls knew they had hope. Howells’ conversion meant that they were just 22-16 down at half-time.

The second half went tit for tat for the first half hour with the sides trading three tries each but with Rhondda, who scored first in the half, never losing the lead. David Albertelli, Max Hendy and John Saniger all scoring for Outlaws with Howells, Aled Cockwell and Nicky Giles replying for Bridgend.

But it was Howells’ boot that made the difference. He converted twice and Outlaws just once, and with minutes to go, Rhondda were holding onto a 36-32 lead.
Then with the final play of the final set of the game, Dale Wood barged through to level the scores with Howells keeping his nerve to kick the winner.

Bridgend now travel to Valley Cougars in the final game of the regular season this Wednesday (Treharris RFC, kick-off 7.15pm).

BRIDGEND TRIES: Rhys Pope, Dan Forrester, Kerrin Tonlin, Gareth Howells, Aled Cockwell, Nicky Giles, Dale Wood. GOALS: Howells 5

OUTLAWS TRIES: Dafydd Smith 3. Adam Watton, Wayne Harrison, David Albertelli, Max Hendy, John Saniger. Goals: Taine Hendy 2

CARDIFF BLUE DRAGONS 12 TORFAEN TIGERS 34

Torfaen Tigers clinched second place in the final WPL table and will host Bridgend Blue Bulls in the semi-finals after beating Cardiff Blue Dragons 34-12 at Glamorgan Wanderers on Saturday.

The Tigers were always in control and their only real blip was conceding a try in each half. They built up a comfortable 16-0 lead before Cardiff got a try on the board and were 28-6 to the good before their hosts scored again.

Jarad Hinen continued his good form after doing well for Wales in the Student World Cup by scoring four tries for Torfaen. Sam Baker, Curtis Haile and Geoff Hick also crossed with Fraser Stroud converting three of the tries.

Cardiff, who travel to Valley Cougars in the semi-finals in a fortnight’s time, replied through two Ryan Shallish tries, both converted by Dan Henderson.

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE P W L D PF PA DIFF BNS PTS
1 Valley Cougars 7 7 0 0 356 100 256 0 14
2 Torfaen Tigers 8 5 3 0 260 226 34 0 10
3 Bridgend Blue Bulls 7 4 3 0 234 258 -24 0 6
4 Cardiff Blue Dragons 8 2 6 0 188 294 -106 0 4
5 Rhondda Outlaws 8 1 7 0 198 358 -160 0 2

Table adjustments:
-2: Bridgend Blue Bulls (Fielding unregistered player)