The Bulls ended Aberavon Fighting Irish's perfect start to the season with a hard-fought 20-17 away win.

Newport Titans kept the pressure on the leaders with a third win in four games to stay just a point behind.

In Monday's only other game, Swansea Valley secured their first home win this term with a 24-16 success over Cynon Valley Cougars.

Aberavon Fighting Irish 17-20 Bridgend Blue Bulls

Both teams performed brilliantly, especially in the strong wind and driving rain in a thrilling but error strewn match that saw each team score three tries.

The Bulls started the better with a early try from Nathan Strong after a great break from Carle Ellis, but the Fighting Irish were soon on level terms after a superb solo try from David Hawkins.

With a strong wind at their backs Aberavon dominated for most of the first half and were rewarded with a second try late on from Liam Gadd.

Bulls' Dan Williams was voted man of the match

Dean Scully converted from the touchline to give the home team a 10-4 half-time lead, the first time the Bulls had ever been behind at half time.

A great cross field kick from Jon Williams fell perfectly for Grant Epton who crossed under the posts for the Bulls second try, Williams converted to bring the scores level.

A Dai Owen try, plus a conversion and penalty goal from Jon Williams gave the Bulls an eight point lead before Aberavon's Neil Davies slotted over a drop goal after they had a try disallowed.

Williams then kicked his second penalty after a high tackle on John Devereux before David Hawkins ran straight through the Blue Bulls defence and crossed for his second try of the game.

Scully added the extras to set up a tense final 10 minutes, but the reigning Welsh Conference Champions managed to hold on for a 17-20 victory.

Swansea Valley Miners 24-16 Valley Cougars

The game was 15 minutes old when Swansea full-back Anthony Evans scored a superb try in the corner, outpacing the covering defence.

A second home try soon followed when loose forward Pat McLernon went over the line from 15 metres out.

A great backs move after three surging drives by the forwards led to wing Damian James racing the length of the pitch scoring a great try with his brother Gareth James converting for a 14-0 lead.

The Valley Cougars rallied together to score their first try in the last minute of the first half time.

But the Miners took charge again after the break taking with Damian James scoring his second try.

With 20 minutes left, stand off Gareth James intercepted a wild pass on his own 10 metre line and raced the length of the pitch to score under the posts to make his own conversion a formality.

The Cougars finished strongly with two tries, but Swansea held on for their first home win of the season.

Newport Titans 36-14 Torfaen Tigers

For the third match in a row, Newport Titans put on a first class second half display to give themselves a handsome win.

Ross Palmer gave the home side an early lead and Neil McKinn also went over for his first try of the game. Adrian Fowler got one back for the Titans just before half-time, converting his own try and bringing it back to 10-6.

McKinn and Palmer both added their second tries of the match, Owen Jones also grabbed a brace with Danny Melmes adding another.

Torfaen replied with consolation tries from Jason Hill and Craig Jones.