WELSH CONFERENCE SET FOR EXPANSION
Mon 06 Mar 2006
The Welsh Rugby League have announced that the 2006 Totalrl.Com Rugby League Conference Premier Division in the principality will contain three new teams this summer, taking the total number of participants to ten writes Phil Caplan.
The increased figure means that the division will operate an eastern and western section for fixtures, again leading to play offs and the crowning of Welsh champions. They will then go forward into the RLC Premier Semi finals for the right to compete for the prestigious Harry Jepson Trophy.
The current Conference Premier champions, Bridgend Blue Bulls, are looking to retain that trophy - won when defeating Leeds Akkies last August - and they will be joined by Blackwood Bulldogs, West Wales Sharks based in Llanelli and Pembroke Panthers who will play out of Tenby. Bridgend and Pembroke are set to meet in the opening round of matches on May 20th.
Wales RL Chairman Mark Rowley commented, "There is greater demand than ever for the game to be played in Wales at the moment and a real desire to see players move through the structure to attain the highest level they can achieve. With the National side gearing up for World Cup 2008 qualifiers, Celtic Crusaders making their bow in National League Two and now this increase among grassroots participation, the overall signs are very encouraging for the code."
RLC WALES PREMIER DIVISION
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Blackwood Bulldogs
Torfaen Tigers (Pontypool)
Newport Titans
Valley Cougars (Pontypridd)
Cardiff Demons
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Bridgend Blue Bulls
Aberavon Fighting Irish
Swansea Valley Miners
West Wales Sharks (Llanelli)
Pembroke Panthers (Tenby)
Mon 06 Mar 2006
The Welsh Rugby League have announced that the 2006 Totalrl.Com Rugby League Conference Premier Division in the principality will contain three new teams this summer, taking the total number of participants to ten writes Phil Caplan.
The increased figure means that the division will operate an eastern and western section for fixtures, again leading to play offs and the crowning of Welsh champions. They will then go forward into the RLC Premier Semi finals for the right to compete for the prestigious Harry Jepson Trophy.
The current Conference Premier champions, Bridgend Blue Bulls, are looking to retain that trophy - won when defeating Leeds Akkies last August - and they will be joined by Blackwood Bulldogs, West Wales Sharks based in Llanelli and Pembroke Panthers who will play out of Tenby. Bridgend and Pembroke are set to meet in the opening round of matches on May 20th.
Wales RL Chairman Mark Rowley commented, "There is greater demand than ever for the game to be played in Wales at the moment and a real desire to see players move through the structure to attain the highest level they can achieve. With the National side gearing up for World Cup 2008 qualifiers, Celtic Crusaders making their bow in National League Two and now this increase among grassroots participation, the overall signs are very encouraging for the code."
RLC WALES PREMIER DIVISION
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Blackwood Bulldogs
Torfaen Tigers (Pontypool)
Newport Titans
Valley Cougars (Pontypridd)
Cardiff Demons
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Bridgend Blue Bulls
Aberavon Fighting Irish
Swansea Valley Miners
West Wales Sharks (Llanelli)
Pembroke Panthers (Tenby)
