Broncos fail to win for the first time

Bridgend Blue Bulls came seconds from becoming the first ever side to beat Bonymaen Broncos but were denied by a late Ian Brooks penalty kick which levelled the scores at 22-22.

Bonymaen had beaten Bridgend 48-10 at Porthcawl just three weeks ago but a massively improved performance from the reigning Champions, who due to injuries and work commitments named just one forward on the bench, gained them a deserved draw and were unlucky not pick up a win.

Player-coach Craig Fox  came close to giving the Bulls an early lead before a break away from the Broncos almost resulted in a score for Robbie Ford, but then it didn’t take long before the opening score when great work from forwards Matt Dwyer Owen Thomas resulted in Gareth David racing over, and Gareth Howells converted for a 6-0 lead.

Both sides played some great Rugby League as the first half went by but defences won out with both sides putting in great try saving tackles, Bulls fullback Huw Rosser put in a big hit on Richard Brooks when the second row looked certain to score but Bonymaen were equally as good with Chris Hoppe and Nick Clancy both putting in many big hits.

Then in the 30^th minute a break away by Bridgend saw Gareth David put in a great kick and chase, and the stand-off won the race to the ball to claim his second of the game which Howells again converted for a 12-0 lead. But just before the break Richard Lewis claimed a score for the home side to bring them back into the game and make it 4-12 at half time.

A comedy of errors in the Bulls defence let the Broncos in for try number two early in in the second with Chris Hoppe scoring in the corner and Ian Brooks converted brilliantly from the touchline, and moments later Brooks gave his side the lead with a try after a Clancy break, which he also converted to make it 16-14.

But moments later a great solo score from Lee Harben-Jones put Bridgend level and Howells added the extra two to re-snatch the lead.

With ten minutes remaining Nathan Hawkins charged forward before offloading to Lloyd Ryland who sent Howells over for the Bulls fourth, but the conversion was crucially missed and the Bulls lead stayed at six.

With just three minutes left Bonymaen wing Robbie Ford showed great pace to score outwide to bring the home side to within two, Ian Brooks narrowly missed the conversion but with just seconds remaining referee Darren Scott awarded the Broncos a penalty 30 yards in front of posts which Brooks slotted to bring the scores level in a game either side could have won but neither deserved to lose.

For Bridgend, teenage prop  Owain Williams was outstanding in his first ever game of Rugby League while Gareth David and Craig Fox proved a welcome return and ran the game well.

Bonymaen’s Brooks brothers were again excellent while Ford’s pace proved crucial and they fought their way back into the game.

BONYMAEN BRONCOS SCORERS:

TRIES:

Richard Lewis

Chris Hoppe

Ian Brooks

Robbie Ford

GOALS:

Ian Brooks (3)

BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS SCORERS:

TRIES:

Gareth David (2)

Lee Harben-Jones

Gareth Howells

GOALS:

Gareth Howells (3)