NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 4
3 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS v ABERAVON FIGHTING IRISH preview. By Simon Green
Despite being far from happy about the choice of venue the Bridgend Blue Bulls are preparing themselves for the Welsh Grand Final this weekend against Aberavon Fighting Irish.
Blue Bulls captain Kevin Ellis and his team are angry that despite winning 12 games out 12 in this seasons Welsh Conference they have to travel to Aberavon Green Stars RFC, the home of the Fighting Irish. Aberavon have lost 3 times this season, twice v the Blue Bulls and away to the Valley Cougars yet will have home advantage on Saturday.
Despite this Bridgend will still start as favourites having already beaten Aberavon twice including a 48-8 trouncing at Maesteg last month. But the Blue Bulls are still upset and have been calling for the game to be moved to a neutral venue.
For the match the Blue Bulls welcome back top points scorer Jon Williams, and big hitting forwards Jon Purnell and Karl Hocking. However Birmingham Union side Bertemps Bess have refused to release Mike Davies and new signing Lenny Woodard for the game while Marc Davies will also miss the match.
The Blue Bulls have scored 98 tries and 546 points in their 12 conference games this season with wing Grant Epton claiming 11, centre Dai Owen has grabbed 9 and Kevin Ellis and Craig Fox have scored 8 a piece. Jon Williams is Bridgends top points scorer with 88 points from 42 goals and a single try while Marc Davies has bagged 68 points thanks to his 4 tries and 26 goals.
One player to really hit form of late is Carle Ellis who has scored 7 tries in the past 4 games including a hat-trick against Newport Titans and two tries v Aberavon the last time the sides met while Paul Morgan and Gareth David were brilliant in the recent wins over Torfaen Tigers and Newport Titans.
The reigning Welsh and British Amateur Champions have an extra incentive to play as a win would see them go 27 games unbeaten and just two victories away from equalling Wigan?s World Record of 29 consecutive wins. If the Blue Bulls retain their unbeaten tag this season and defend their GB crown they will break Wigan?s record and make it 30 out of 30. Off course that is a long way off but if they were to accomplish this goal it would be amazing achievement for a team only two years old.