Newport Titans and Bridgend Blue Bulls triumph in Welsh Conference rugby ...

CARDIFF SPARTANS 8 NEWPORT TITANS 52

Cardiff Spartans had a baptism of fire in their debut game as an open-age side as the lost 52-8 to Newport Titans and suffering a red card in the process.

After winning a goal-line drop out, Titans look the lead with less than two minutes on the clock, courtesy of a John Lavender try that was converted by Callum Rowland, the first of his eight goals of the afternoon.

Spartans first touch of the game came from a scrum and then promptly conceded a penalty giving possession back to Newport.

They didn’t waste it. Dale Tucker went over for the first of his hat-trick of tries with Rowland’s goal making the score 12-0.

Spartans hit back through a Chad Willson try but it was a only a brief reprieve. The red card occurred when the score was 28-4 and it accelerated from there.

Dwaine Bailey notched a brace of tries, the first a 60 metre run down the wing with Craig Lewis following suit with a similar score.

Mike Roberts and Rhys Hendley were also over the line in the second half as the Titans made the extra man show.

The Spartans did manage another try back via Joseph Davies but the damage was already done.

BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS 66 GWENDRAETH VALLEY RAIDERS 38

Bridgend Blue Bulls are definitely back in the hunt for a league title after securing their second home win in as many weeks.

Newcomers Gwendraeth Valley Raiders were the victims on this occasion, succumbing to a 66-38 defeat despite having former South Wales Scorpions utility Alan Pope in the side as well as players from the South Wales AASE Academy in Maesteg.

Huw Rosser, Gareth Howells, Owain Williams, Dale Wood and Owen Thomas all scored two tries apiece for Bridgend with Thomas’ second being the try of the game.

It was solid carrying from the forwards. Owen carried as the ball was spread wide from Gareth Howells, he shrugged off a tackle and dummied to draw the full-back before grounding after his 35 metre run.

Andy Milne also crossed for Bridgend with Gareth Howells kicking all 11 conversions successfully.

Pope scored two tries for the visitors as did Zak Williams. Williams’ fellow AASE team mate Shane Lee scored once and kicked all of their goals while tries from Daf Daniels and Andrew Rees completed their scoring.

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/437476/Work-to-be-done-for-Wales

Newport Titans and Bridgend Blue Bulls triumph in Welsh Conference rugby ...