Bridgend Blue Bulls

Infobox esl club
clubname = Bridgend Blue Bulls


emblem =
fullname = "Bridgend Blue Bulls Rugby League Football Club"
colours = Navy Blue & Black
founded = 2003
sport = Rugby League
league = Rugby League Conference Welsh Premier
Coaches = Karl Hocking & Jon Purnell
Captain = Jon Purnell
Physio
Everything Else = Simon Green
ground = Porthcawl RFC, Bridgend (Coordinates: 51°29′05.80″N, 3°42′13.52″W)
web = None

Bridgend Blue Bulls RLFC are a rugby league side based in Bridgend, Wales.

The Blue Bulls were formed in 2003 and joined the Rugby League Conference Welsh Premier. Since then, guided under head coaches Karl Hocking & Jon Purnell, they have won the league every year. In 2003 and 2004 they won all their games. In 2005 they lost just one, before drawing one game and losing one in the 2006 and 2007 seasons respectively.

In 2007 they won the Welsh Grand Final at Brewery Field by beating the Newport Titans 24-18. The Blue Bulls were actually 6-0 down early on, but made an astonishing recovery to lead 24-6 at one point. They held their lead despite the Titans scoring two more tries.

The new 2008 season will see the Bridgend outfit try to win their 6th Grand Final and should commence at the end of May.

In 2003 and 2005 the team also won the Harry Jepson Cup, competing with teams from England, Scotland and Wales. In 2003 they beat Cardiff Demons, Aberavon Fighting Irish, Ipswich Rhinos and Carlisle Centurions. In 2005, once again at Brewery Field, they clinched the cup in a record breaking 60-10 victory against Leeds Akkies. That match was seen by just over 1,150 people.

During the 2008 season a supporters side was established called the Bridgend Blue Heifers. They play tag rugby league and drew their first and only game so far with the Celtic Barbarians 6 tries apiece.

Grand Finals

*2003: Won ???
*2004: Won 26-21 against Aberavon Fighting Irish
*2005: Won 56-16 against Torfaen Tigers
*2006: Won 22-10 against Cardiff Demons
*2007: Won 24-18 against Newport Titans

Honours

*Rugby League Conference Welsh Premier Winners - 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
*Harry Jepson Cup Winners - 2003, 2005
*Wales 'A' Internationals - Chris Roets, Craig Fox, Dan Williams, Gareth David, Karl Hocking, Neil Dixon, Paul Morgan

Notable Current & Former Players

*Allan Bateman - Wales & Great Britain RL, Wales & British & Irish Lions RU (status - undecided)
*John Devereux - Wales & Great Britain RL, Wales & British & Irish Lions RU (status - retired)
*Kevin Ellis - Wales & Great Britain RL, Wales RU (status - active)
*Lenny Woodard - Wales RL & Wales RU (status - active)

External links

* [http://wales.rleague.com Official Wales Rugby League Website]