Wednesday night report and weekend previews

Match report and photo by Neil Goodman. Previews by Ian Golden

BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS 52 LLANELLI KNIGHTS 36

Bridgend Blue Bulls won an exciting battle with Llanelli Knights 52-36 at Pyle RFC on Wednesday night.

The first 15 minutes were dominated by the Knights and it looked set to be a long day at the office for the Bulls.

They were 14-0 up by that time after tries from Ieuan Ace, Dan Maiden and Rhodri Morgan with one converted by George Freeman.

However the home side tightened up and fought their way back into the game with successive tries and varied play.

Tries from Keiran Hooper, Jack Dryden, Gareth Howells and Owen Thomas, three of them converted by Howells, put them into a 22-14 lead.

But Llanelli went into the break leading 26-22 after Jamie Evans and Maiden scored tries with Freeman converting both.

Bridgend established a commanding lead after the interval, one that they wouldn’t give up again.

Dale Wood, Hooper, Howells, Hawkins and Dale all went over for tries with Howells converting.

By that time Bridgend were 52-32 up. Llanelli did register two second half tries. Maiden also completed his hat-trick, Taylor Phillips converting, in the middle of that run, and they had the final say with a Tom Evans try.

Click here or scroll down for a free to use photo. Credit – Neil Goodman

Also on Wednesday night, Valley Cougars lost in a friendly match to the Army side, REME RL (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) 42-16. The Cougars fielded different sides in each half as they arrived with a squad of 29 to select from.

There are two big games in Betfred League 1 this Saturday and another two in the Welsh Premier League as the season heats up for our semi-professional and domestic sides.

For West Wales Raiders and Hemel Stags at Stebonheath Park in Llanelli (kick-off 3pm), something has to give. Both sides have lost every game this season and both have conceded high amounts of points.

The Raiders have recruited well in recent weeks with three joining from Gloucestershire All Golds in Phil Cowburn, Brad Killingsbury and Scottish international Joe McLean.

North Wales Crusaders have a tough trip to League 1 leaders Bradford Bulls (kick-off 3pm) with the game being shown live on the Bradford Bulls Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/officialbulls/.

In the Welsh Premier League, Rhondda Outlaws will be looking to build on their big win over Cardiff Blue Dragons last week when they host Valley Cougars at Sardis Road (kick-off 2.30pm), whilst Cardiff visit Cwmbran to face second place Torfaen Tigers (kick-off 2pm).

Meanwhile at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday, the North Wales Origin side have their first outing of the season when they host Golborne Parkside RLFC. Kick-off is 2.30pm.

There is one game in the under 15 league on Sunday – Penlan Wild Stallions v Aber Valley Wolves