BUILTH Wells bravely bowed out of the WRU Division Cup following a 17-5 defeat against Llanelli Wanderers in Blackwood on Saturday.
A bumper gate of 800 turned out for the semi-final as the Bulls bid to upset the odds against the division one west leaders.
The Bulls started the better of the two teams and their experienced ball carrying forwards Jacob Iveson and Lucas Evans put them on the front foot.
The Bulls had two opportunities to get their rolling maul going from five yards out but Llanelli managed to disrupt and a couple of questionable decision left the Powys side frustrated.
However, it was the West Walians to got on the score sheet first.
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Outside centre Nick Gale slotted a beautiful penalty from just inside the opposition half to give the Wanderers a three point lead.
The Wanderers found success using their pin point kicking game to exploit the Bulls’ back three.
Gale converted a further two penalties before the Wanderers got a try of their own on the stroke of half time to established a 14 point lead.
With time running out in the later stages, Llanelli turned to the left foot of Gale once again, converting another penalty to make the score 17-0 to the Wanderers.
However, the Bulls did get a well deserved try of their own when a sharp moment of thinking from replacement scrum half Archie Lloyd put fellow replacement Kieron Heatlie into space down the blindside touchline to offload to Ciaran Price who finished well in the corner.
Head coach Ben Duggan and the Bulls’ players expressed their gratitude to the 400 Bulls supporters who made the trip to watch their team on Saturday, a true indication of the tight knit community feel that the rugby club holds within the town.
Head coach Duggan said: “It was a very tough game in awful conditions. Llanelli we’re a very well organised team and took their chances.
“I was disappointed by some of our decision making and handling at key times in the first-half when we had chances to get points on the board.
“ If you don’t take them in semi- finals you don’t win but credit to Llanelli they were fair winners.
Despite defeat the Bulls coach said the players enjoyed the experience and thanked fans for making themselves heard.
“It was a fantastic day for us all and a huge turnout from both clubs which made a great atmosphere,” said Duggan. “We have come such a long way in a few months and the players and manager Lyndon Jones and backs coach Hugh Lloyd deserve massive credit.”
Meanwhile Duggan promised supporters the current crop of talent would enjoy similar big days out in the future.
An upbeat Duggan said: “This team will have big days again soon but for now we concentrate on the league and have set ourselves the challenge of finishing fourth in division one this season.”
The Bulls return to league action next weekend as they make the trip to Nantyfyllon with a top four finish in Admiral Division One West Central within their grasp.
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