Blue Bulls go out of the Challenge Cup


LADBROKE’S CHALLENGE CUP FIRST ROUND

EGREMONT RANGERS 62 BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS 0

Bridgend Blue Bulls were outclassed by a strong Egremont Rangers side in the first round of the Ladbroke’s Challenge Cup, going down 62-0 on a chilly afternoon in Cumbria.

It was the toughest of matches for the Welsh Conference champions as they were forced to travel up to Cumbria on the day and play a full 80 minutes after leaving South Wales at 6am.

Egremont opened well scoring as early as the fifth minute through Tom Horner, converted by Matt Bewsher.

A brace from Joe Bold, and one each from Jack Stanton and Leon Crellin, all bar the final try being converted by Bewsher, made it 28-0 to the Cumbrians at the break.

They extended their advantage three minutes into the second half through a Kevin Brown try that Bewsher improved and Egremont went on to score six more times in the game.

James Newton, Pat Wells, Matty Henson, Bewsher, Keiron Glen and Lewis Beckwith all ran over with Bewsher converting twice more.

Credit to Bridgend who never gave up and kept the Cumbrians scoreless for the final 17 minutes of the encounter.

Bridgend Blue Bulls’ team manager Stephen Smith said: “It was a true test for us today. The boys tried as hard as possible but our opponents were very good. We were give a lesson in Rugby League today, but we will take it on the chin and build for the Conference season in May. This game will make us stronger.”

Egremont: Jack Stanton, Ryan Barnes, Leon Crellin, Matt Bewsher, James Newton, Joe Bold, Lewis Beckwith, Brad Hales, Dan Telford, Tom Horner, Keiran Glenn, Michael Ellwood, Matty Henson. Subs: Pat Wells, Mitchell Edwards, Kevin Brown, Luke Charlton.

Bridgend: Xavier Manaseitava, Lewis Hogan, Jack Dryden, Lloyd Giles, Stuart Robson, Gareth Howells, Joe Symons, Marcus Thomas, Nathan Morgan, Joe Tame, Aaron Harries, Thomas Ansen, Matthew Davies. Subs: Keiran Hooper, Rob Allen, Thomas Jenkins, Dale Wood.