Mountain Ash RFC 10 Bedwas RFC 74.
WRU Admiral Championship East, Saturday 09 November 2024.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas moved up into second position in the WRU Championship East following a dominant twelve try victory over a Mountain Ash side who did not throw in the towel.
On an overcast cool afternoon at Parc Dyffryn Pennar it was the hosts who drew the first blood after Bedwas were penalised for blocking the kick-off, Callum Hall gratefully accepting the three points.
A shell-shocked Bedwas were on the back foot but the home side lost control of the ball in good positions and thus scoring opportunities came and went.
Bedwas regained their composure and took the lead after nine minutes with a Lloyd Wilkins try and conversion.
Again, the hosts fought to get back in the game but knock on’s and penalties conceded hindered their progress.
Bedwas extended their lead with just over twenty minutes elapsed with Adam Williams bursting through tackles to cross for a try converted by Wilkins.
Adam Williams added a second try five minutes later as he bumped off several would-be tacklers to cross for a try. Lloyd Wilkins’ conversion attempt went wide.
Mountain Ash responded and after gaining a penalty kicked to the corner, they failed to take advantage of the field position gained.
After a spell of treatment for a home player Bedwas ran in two tries in the dying moments of the half, the first try ran in by Jake Lee following a fast incisive break and the second a solo effort from Rhys Morgans. Both tries were converted by Lloyd Williams for a half time score of Mountain Ash 3 Bedwas 31.
Toby Thomas increased Bedwas’s lead with only two minutes of the second half elapsed, Lloyd Wilkins added the extras.
Mountain Ash did not lie down and moved the ball across the field for left wing Morgan James to cross in their left-hand corner. Callum Hall added the conversion.
Lewys Willacott was next to cross for Bedwas as hacked on a loose ball, gathered, and crossed for his sides seventh try of the afternoon converted by Lloyd Wilkins.
This score was quickly followed up by a Tristan Kugler try in the corner again converted by Wilkins.
It was all Bedwas at this stage as Lloyd Wilkins sprinted through for a try, but his conversion attempt hit an upright and rebounded away from the posts.
Seven minutes later Wilkins sprinted through again for a try under the posts which he converted himself.
With four minutes to play Bedwas did not take their collective feet of the home sides throat and some impressive foot work from Tristan Kugler earned him two unconverted tries to bring up the final score of Mountain Ash 10 Bedwas 74.
Next Saturday Bedwas host Rumney RFC in the Championship East Division in what is anticipated to be another tough assignment, kick-off is at 2-30pm.
The Bedwas Man of the Match was awarded to scrum half Toby Thomas.
Today’s images can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums
Rob Hill’s photos can be found at https://www.flickr.com/gp/123499803@N05/6us56w3769
