R League: Titans braced for tough test with Demons

Jun 8 2007 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

NEWPORT Titans and Bridgend Blue Bulls remain the only two unbeaten teams in this year’s Welsh Rugby League Conference and both face difficult away ties this weekend.

Leaders Newport travel to St Peter’s RFC to take on the Cardiff Demons who are still smarting from their defeat to the West Wales Sharks last Saturday.

The Titans have enjoyed a great start to the summer season with three big wins over the Bulldogs, Steelers and Cougars and will be looking to make it four out of four against Cardiff.

Titans chairman Paul Cooper said: “I think the Demons have been unlucky losing their past two games, they have a very strong side and will play much better on their home ground.”

The Demons are boosted by the return of star player Gareth Jones and he will be desperate to make sure his men get back to winning ways and end the Titans’ winning run.

The Blue Bulls face a tricky away game to the Valley Cougars at Ferndale, where Bridgend will be without captain Jon Purnell who is taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge, but the game will see the return of big hitting forward Anthony Isaac while half-back Austen Howells is expected to make his debut.

The Sharks will be in buoyant mood after their terrific win over the Demons where they overhauled a 24-point deficit to beat the Cardiff side 33-32 and will hope to continue their winning ways when they visit Pontypool to face the Torfaen Tigers.

The final match and possibly the game of the day could well be at Blackwood where the Bulldogs host the Neath-Port Talbot Steelers.

All matches kick off at 2:30pm giving supporters the chance to travel to the Brewery Field after cheering on their Conference sides to support the Celtic Crusaders in their crucial National League Two match against Barrow Raiders, at 6:30pm.

Fixtures: Cardiff Demons v Newport Titans at St Peter’s RFC, Valley Cougars v Bridgend Blue Bulls at Pill Harriers RFC, Torfaen Tigers v West Wales Sharks at Pontypool United RFC, Blackwood Bulldogs v Neath-Port Talbot Steelers at Blackwood RFC.