RUGBY LEAGUE

VALLEY Cougars remain unbeaten and top the WRL Premier League table, but it wasn’t without a scare and a tough battle from Cardiff Blue Dragons in a game that finished 3218 on Wednesday evening, writes Ian Golden.

Cardiff fielded six players from their under-17 squad, all of whom gave a good account of themselves against more experienced opposition.

The home side were looking to avenge their defeat to the Cougars a few days earlier and they made the best possible start when a Duane Iles try gave them an early 4-0 lead.

Cougars levelled straight away. Liam Watton going over in the corner to make it 4-4 before a Kane Harris try, again unconverted, gave Cardiff the lead back.

Lee Goddard scored at the other end to make it 8-8 then a Craig Lewis try gave the Cougars the lead for the first time.

Shane Lee then increased their lead by scoring under the sticks with Mike Hurley landing his first goal of the evening. Lewis quickly followed him over for his second of the game with Hurley again converting.

Cardiff got back into the game just before the interval through an unconverted Kyle Rose try bringing the score back to 24-12 to the Cougars.

Defences were up in the first half of the second half with neither side giving way and exchanging a number of penalties. Finally, just before the hour mark, Dan Davies found a gap to increase Cougars’ lead.

Cardiff weren’t finished yet.

Josh Palmer picked up a rebound to dive over. Kyle Rose kicked the goal to bring the score back to 28-18.

But the Cougars cemented the game when Liam Watton broke through for another unconverted Cougars try.