Premier Wales Round 1 round-up

Welsh champions Bridgend Blue Bulls began their title defence in style with a 34-8 home win over Cardiff Demons on Sunday.

The home side took the lead in the fifth minute when Dai Owen broke through the centre, allowing Neil Dixon a free run down the wing to score.

Demons equalised in the 14th minute, when good work from Andy Jones and Jamie Isles set up debutant Miles Davies.

The visitors then stunned the Bulls by taking the lead after John Byers set up Lee Mullane for a try in the corner.

But Bridgend grabbed a slender 10-8 lead at half-time when Craig Fox grounded underneath the sticks and Jon Williams added the extras.

However, the second half was all about the Bulls, who pulled away with two converted tries from Owen, plus scores from Lenny Woodard and Jon Purnell.

A second-half blitz from Newport Titans finished off and understrength but spirited Valley Cougars 42-18 at Pill Harriers.

The Titans took the lead in the seventh minute, Ryan James running over 30 metres to the line to score.

Cougars equalised through Rob Kotyla, before Titans gave themselves a 10-point cushion after unconverted tries from Owen Jones, Mark Wheeler and Earl Palmer.

Cougars got a try back before half-time through Carl Thomas, but after the break Titans scored tries through Earl Palmer, Ben Morris, Pete Ovey and Paul Jones.

Stuart Williams scored the only try of the second half from the Cougars.

Despite Simon Bevan giving Swansea Valley Miners the lead in the fifth minute, visitors Aberavon ran away with this derby match to win 56-22 at Ystalafera.

Gareth Lewis - who finished with two tries and six conversions - got his first try in the10th minute, bringing the score back to 4-6.

Dean Scully gave Aberavon the lead in the 23rd minute, before two tries in as many minutes from Sean O¿Brien gave the Irish a two-try cushion.

Scully increased the lead straight from kick-off, before Tony Smith marked an outstanding debut by scoring under the sticks to give the visitors a 28-6 half-time lead.

The first 15 minutes of the second half belonged to the Miners, as their constant pressure was rewarded by two tries, Anthony Evans and Paul Whapham the scorers.

But Aberavon regained control for the rest of the match, as tries from David Dyer, Richard Lewis and 18-year old Gareth Moore (2) sealed the match.

Simon Bevan scored a late try for Swansea.

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RLC Premier Wales:
Bridgend Blue Bulls 34-8 Cardiff Demons (Brewery Field).
Newport Titans 42-18 Valley Cougars (Pill Harriers RFC).
Swansea Valley Miners 22-56 Aberavon Fighting Irish (Ystalafera RFC).
Free: Torfaen Tigers.