BONYMAEN 0 BEDWAS 43. Match report by Julian Farmer, photography by Ian Lovell.
KONICA MINOLTA CUP 4TH ROUND
A big change in the weather this week meant that the trip to Bonymaen was a pleasant one, with the sun shining and a pitch in excellent condition made it possible for both sets of players to play some good flowing rugby, instead of the hard forward slog of recent weeks.
Bonymaen were full of passion and contested well in all departments in the opening exchanges but it was evident from the start that Bedwas were far more organised in both attack and defence, and that it would only be a matter of time before the first points were scored. The first try came on 15 minutes from Matthew Pizey after constant pressure saw him go over in the corner. On 17 minutes the best move of the match saw Simon Jones go over under the posts after some good inter-passing between both forwards and backs but they were called back for an adjudged foot in touch. Bedwas were down to 14 men soon after Phil Dollman was yellow carded on 24 minutes for killing the ball after Bonymaen broke away close to the Bedwas line, this however made little difference as Bedwas regrouped and saw Phil Sargent go over for a converted try on 26 minutes.
This was the last score of the half which ended Bonymaen 0 Bedwas 12, Bedwas will have felt that they missed opportunities in the half and that the score was not representative of their dominance. There were missed opportunities to score a further tries with Phil Sargent held up over the line on 36 minutes and Matthew Pizey knocking the ball on, whilst over the line in injury time.
The second half was a much more clinical affair, Nathan Hill came on in place of Scott Horner on the wing for the start of the second half and Bedwas scored their first of 5 second half tries when Stuart Thomas was sent clear by some intelligent passing from the backs and one decisive pass from Dai Atkins. Stuart Thomas converted to make the score 0-19. The next converted try was scored by Nathan Hill after he punched through some weak Bonymaen tackling to make it 0-26.
By this stage Bonymaen were a beaten team and their young side continued to look jaded as Bedwas opened up with some quick ball moves that ultimately did not produce points. However it showed the gulf between the two sides in organisation and skill level in every phase of play especially in the line out where Bedwas dominated through good work from Adam Brown. Coach Steve Law rang the changes bringing on Gareth Leonard for Jon Tilley, Peter Harrison for Brian Edwards in the front row and Rhodri Edwards for Sion Dafydd and Brendon Lampitt for Andrew Tibbatts in the back row on 61 minutes. Then James Pizey for Simon Jones at scrum half and Keiron Jenkins for John Salter in the front row on 69 minutes to use all of the available substitutions.
With the injection of fresher players the last quarter of an hour saw a break by Phil Dollman held up just short on 69 minutes, but a minute later a kick through by John Welch resulted in a try for Dai Atkins after the Bonymaen defence failed to deal with the bouncing ball and Atkins was able to pick up and go over for the converted try. Matthew Pizey then scored his second try of the game after breaking away on 72 minutes from the Bedwas 22 metre line after a Bonymaen handling error whilst in attack.
The last try of the game came from James Pizey after some great work by Phil Dollman who took man and ball in midfield, stole the ball and it was put out to the backs for an easy final try on 79 minutes. Bedwas should have made it 50 points in the last minute of the game when Nathan Hill was held up just short. The referee then did the kind thing and blew up to end the game.
The final score of 0-43 is a resounding result that could have been much more against opposition that rarely offered much resistance or threat but importantly sends Bedwas through to the next round of the cup to be played on the weekend of 16th February.
Bedwas take a break from League Rugby this coming weekend due to England Wales 6 Nations match on Saturday. However the Club host Caerphilly on Thursday 31 January 2008, kick off 7-15 pm in a friendly match. Bedwas’s next league match is on Friday 8 February 2008 when they travel to Swansea. Would supporters kindly note there will be no supporters bus for this fixture.
Bedwas Director of Rugby – Steve Law
‘Bonymaen is always a sticky place to come and a win is a win – I’m pleased to be through to the next round’
Bedwas Team
Stuart Thomas, Scott Horner, Phil Dollman, David Atkins, Matthew Pizey, John Welch, Simon Jones, John Tilley, Brian Edwards, John Salter, Sion Dafydd, Adam Brown, Phil Sargent, Andrew Tibbatts, Neil Lewis
Replacements
Gareth Leonard, Peter Harrison, Keiron Jenkins, Rhodri Edwards, Brendon Lampitt, James Pizey, Nathan Hill
Tries: Matthew Pizey (2), Phil Sargent, Stuart Thomas, Nathan Hill, Dai Atkins, James Pizey
Conversions: Stuart Thomas (4)
