Welsh side face mammoth Cup away trip

Bridgend Blue Bulls have been handed a tough away tie in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup at Cumbrian based side Egremont Rangers. 

This is the first time that the Blue Bulls have entered the competition, which finishes in August at Wembley Stadium, and have been given the longest journey in the first round as a reward. 

The Blue Bulls will have to make a 625-mile round trip to Cumbria, and the Welsh League champions will have to be at their best to overcome Rangers, who’s best run in the competition was in 1998, when they were beaten in the fourth round by eventual winners Sheffield Eagles.

Stephen Smith, Bridgend Blue Bulls’s manager, has spoke of his excitement of being involved in the first round draw, and wants the club to embrace the experience and hopefully claim a victory in the hope of a home tie in the next round. 

“It was great to experience the live draw at Wembley Stadium. As we were one of the last teams to be drawn, it was unbelievable tense waiting to see our number,” he said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the club so over the next dew weeks, both players and staff will be working extremely hard to get into the second round.”

“It will be a long trip but an amazing experience. We’ll be going all out to win and maybe give the people of Bridgend a home tie in the next round.”