Bulldogs take final to make up for 2008 heartbreak.

Blackwood Bulldogs ........ 38 Bridgend Blue Bulls ......... 22

IN the first rugby league match to be played at Virginia Park in Caerphilly, Blackwood Bulldogs produced a dominating second-half performance to win the Welsh Conference Premier Grand Final.

They suffered heartbreak in 2008 after losing to Valley Cougars, but made up for it this year with a seven-try haul.

They took just three minutes to take the lead as Trevor James finished off a fine passing move.

Bridgend got a try back straight away through Shaun Owens, who converted it himself before adding a penalty five minutes later.

But Blackwood levelled things on 18 minutes when Jeremy Lloyd ran over from close range with Price converting to make the score 10-8. Bridgend then worked their way upfield with David James scoring a fine individual try. Howells converted then added a penalty for good measure to give his side a six-point gap.

The scores were level at the break as Steve Richards went over for a try on the hooter with Price converting.

Bulldogs dominated the second half and were soon in the lead through Andrew Jenkins and Lewis Hamer.

Jeremy Lloyd added a penalty for the Bulldogs mid-way through the second half to give them a two-try cushion.

Aaron Humphries went over with 15 minutes remaining, which looked to have sealed things, but Owens scored between the sticks and Fox converted.

Gareth Price restored the balance, though, as he forced his way over for a well-deserved try before converting it himself to clinch the title.

Blackwood captain Lloyd said: "All three games against Bridgend have been hard, but every time we've shown improvement.

"We worked hard last year in the Grand Final but lost, but we made it this time."