Ystrad Rhondda RFC 38 Bedwas RFC 5.
WRU Admiral Championship, Saturday 07 January 2023.
Match report and images by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas were pleased to be back in action to avoid a fixture pile-up caused by the inclement weather but things did not go well right from the start.
Hamish Anderson pulled a hamstring in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Sam Davies before a ball had been kicked in anger. Former outside half James S Dixon came onto the bench with the referee’s permission having only re-signed for Bedwas in the previous 24 hours.
Nevertheless Bedwas started well enough and maybe should have been on the scoreboard first but Lloyd Wilkins’ penalty kick went wide.
It was all downhill from the there as Ystrad Rhondda took the lead ten minutes into the game as inside centre Cobi Green drifted through a disorganised defence for a try, Jacob Symes adding the extras. It got worse for Bedwas two minutes later as a kick out wide was collected by Alex Webber who sprinted through for a try out wide; Symes again adding the conversion.
Flanker Rhys Jones withdrew with a head knock and was replaced by youngster Dewi Thomas making his first team debut after a good season with the Bedwas Barbarians.
Heavy rain followed as both sides slugged it out in the mud before the home side increased their lead with hooker Liam Wiggins being driven over for a try which was unconverted.
Bedwas made changes to try to change things but when opportunities arose the home defence was well organised and not in the mood to concede any points.
It was no surprise that the home side increased their lead around the hour mark with Alex Webber crossing for his second try of the day, conversion duties this time completed by replacement Rhys Trulove.
Cobi Green added his second and his sides fifth try of the afternoon after 67 minutes again converted by Truelove to pile on the agony for Bedwas. The home side were not finished and with five minutes left to play replacement Rhys Dauncey added his sides sixth and final try of the afternoon, this time unconverted.
Bedwas had the last word of the day on the last play of the day with Lewis Bowden being driven over for a try wide on the right which went unconverted.
Bedwas return to the same venue in two weeks’ time in the WRU Championship Cup but first travel to Glamorgan Wanderers on Saturday 14 January 2023.
Images from today’s game can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums