Bargoed RFC 59 Bedwas RFC 21
WRU Admiral Championship (East), Saturday 4th May 2024.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Given that Bargoed had got the title ‘in the bag’ earlier in the week any hopes of Bedwas notching a morale boosting win evaporated in the second half as the hosts showed the form which has deservedly won the title.
On a sunny, mild early May afternoon Bedwas had the first opportunity for points but James Dixon’s penalty shot went wide.
However, the travelling support were heartened when Max Rivers ran in from deep to open the scoring on twelve minutes. Dixon duly added the extras.
It got better for Bedwas three minutes later as Lloyd Wilkins hacked a loose ball through to cross for a try out wide, Dixon again added the conversion.
Bargoed put the Bedwas line under sustained pressure and with just over half of the allotted time played were rewarded with a try from back-rower Keaton Davies. Josh Prosser added the conversion.
Davies’ fellow flanker Rhys Stephens crossed four minutes later following a charged down clearance kick, Prosser’s conversion levelling the score.
Bedwas stayed in the contest until the last move of the half bought a second try for Stephens which was unconverted.
Bedwas hopes of a comeback disappeared in the first twenty minutes of the second half as the hosts scored four tries in the period.
Fullback Dylan Williams scored a brace of tries, hooker Tomoya Adachi one try and Ashley Norton one try all converted by Prosser put the game beyond Bedwas.
Two tries either side of the thirty-minute mark by Norton and scrum half James Leadbetter, the latter converted by Prosser well and truly put the game to bed.
Adam Williams broke through would be tacklers to score a try, converted by Dixon with eight minutes to play gave Bedwas some reward but there was no chance of anything to give Bedwas fans something to cheer.
So, it must be congratulations to Bargoed RFC on the Championship Cup and League title success and good luck in the new luck Premier League next season.
Bedwas have one final game to play next week as we welcome Treorchy RFC to the Bridgefield, kick-off 2-30pm.
Today’s match gallery is at: Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr
Rob Hill’s images can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/gp/123499803@N05/R50v8xNk64