Thursday, May 26, 2011

Rugby League fixtures in Wales this weekend plus previews

Fixtures By Ian Golden
Saturday 28th May

Academy / Youth Matches
Under 15 Scholarship
Crusaders v Featherstone Rovers – Caerphilly – 1pm

Under 16 Scholarship
Crusaders v Featherstone Rovers – Caerphilly – 2.30pm

Valvoline Under 18 Academy
Crusaders v Featherstone Rovers – Caerphilly – 4pm

Co-operative Conference National
Valley Cougars v Kippax Knights - Rhydyfelin RUFC – 2.30pm

Co-operative Welsh Conference
Premier Division – all 2pm
Titans v Cardiff Demons - Machen RFC
CPC Bears v Torfaen Tigers - Carmarthen Athletic RFC
Bridgend Blue Bulls v Valley Cougars "A" - Porthcawl RFC

Championship – all 2pm
Dyffryn Devils v Tydfil Wildcats - Penybanc RFC
Blackwood Bulldogs v Bonymaen Broncos - Blackwood RFC

Under 17 – 12pm
Glynneath & Abercrave Giants v South Coast Spartans - Abercave RFC
Penallta Storm v Bridgend Blue Bulls - Penallta RFC
CPC Bears v Torfaen Tigers - Carmarthen Athletic RFC
Neath Port Talbot Steelers v Blackwood Bulldogs - Aberavon Green Stars RFC
Panthers v Tydfil Wildcats - Pontyclun RFC

Sunday 29th May
Co-operative Welsh Conference
Under 13 – 11am
Torfaen Tigers v South Coast Spartans - Pontypool United RFC
Panthers v Tydfil Wildcats - Pontyclun RFC
Bridgend Blue Bulls 'A' v CPC Bears - Porthcawl RFC
Bridgend Blue Bulls 'B' v Afan Valley Vikings - Porthcawl RFC

Under 14 – 12pm
Bonymaen Broncos v Afan Valley Vikings - Bonymaen RFC
Bridgend Blue Bulls v Torfaen Tigers - Porthcawl RFC
Glynneath & Abercrave Giants v Tydfil Wildcats - Abercave RFC
Neath Port Talbot Steelers v Panthers - Aberavon Green Stars RFC

Under 15 – 1pm
Torfaen Tigers v South Coast Spartans - Pontypool United RFC
Panthers v Tydfil Wildcats - Pontyclun RFC
Bridgend Blue Bulls v CPC Bears - Porthcawl RFC
Glynneath & Abercrave Giants v Gower Gladiators - Abercave RFC


By Simon Green

In the game of the day of the Welsh Conference Premier, Bridgend Blue Bulls host reigning champions Valley Cougars at Porthcawl RFC in a repeat of last season’s Wales Grand Final.

The Blue Bulls have named a strong squad for the tie, with Dragonhearts duo Craig Fox and Gareth Howells returning after missing last weekend’s win over Torfaen Tigers while a number of players are also expected to make their debuts.

Team Manager Simon Green said: “We are really looking forward to the match and picking a team is going to be hard after we had 30 training on Wednesday.

“We sent a very young inexperienced team to Pontypool last Saturday and they were excellent. 17-year old Josh Miles had a brilliant game at scrum half while Matthew Hocking put in some massive hits and run hard throughout. They along with Huw Rosser are all still playing youth rugby with their union clubs so for them to play so well is brilliant.”

Matthew Hocking is the son of 35 year old Karl Hocking who has been with the Blue Bulls since 2003 and has also played for Celtic Crusaders and Wales and the Blue Bulls hope to soon have their very first father and son on the field at the same time when Karl returns to the side in a few weeks. 

Meanwhile the Titans host Cardiff Demons in their new home of Machen RFC. Whatever the sport, matches between teams from Newport and Cardiff are always keenly thought with neither side wanting to be the losers and Saturday is expected to be no different.

Looking ahead to the game, Titans coach Earl Palmer said: “We didn’t have a great season in 2010 but we have a new home and some new players and hope to make 2011 the Titans’ year.”

The final game of the day in the Conference Premier sees CPC Bears host Torfaen Tigers at Carmarthen Athletic RFC. Torfaen hope to welcome back Wales International Damien Hudd for the clash while Tongan duo Josh and Steve Faletau, brothers of Newport-Gwent Dragons Star Toby are also expected to travel west.

The Bears struggled last season but being in the hot bed of West Wales and with the use of the excellent facilities at Carmarthen Athletic it is about time the Bears made their mark and show that the area can create some top Rugby League talent.

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