Penallta RFC 25 Bedwas RFC 26.
WRU Admiral Championship (East), Saturday 13 January 2024.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Fast forward seven days from the victory over Rumney and Bedwas held on to win by a solitary point in another game in which the result was in the balance until the final whistle.
On a cold afternoon Bedwas started brightly and perhaps could have taken a very early lead but although Penallta conceded five penalties in the opening stanza including a deliberate knock on no sanctions were given with the referee unable to identify the culprit.
However, Bedwas were not to be denied for long and after six minutes Luke Crane spotted a gap in the home defence to dive over from close range. James Dixon’s conversion attempt drifted wide.
Penallta hit back quickly, and Lewis Stevens was successful with a penalty goal.
Bedwas likewise responded quickly, Adam Williams running in from deep with a nice step to take him away from the last defender to cross for a great try. James Dixon converted to put Bedwas twelve points to three ahead.
Penallta tried to get back into the game but despite winning penalties for Bedwas indiscretions no further scores were made.
Just before the interval Penallta pulled back the deficit via a Laurence Pritchard try, Stevens’ last kick of the half conversion saw the half time score as Penallta 10 Bedwas 12.
Bedwas were on the front foot at the start of the second half and a break by Hamish Anderson saw him cross for a try, improved upon by Dixon to open up a seven-point Bedwas lead.
Bedwas increased the lead three minutes later as Lloyd Wilkins ran through to cross for the fourth Bedwas and bonus point winning try. James Dixon converted.
Again, Penallta hit back quickly with Laurence Pritchard crossing for his second try of the day, Stevens’ conversion attempt missed the target.
No further scores were made until the 25th minute, this time a successful penalty kick by Stevens for an alleged high tackle by Adam Williams also punished with a yellow card.
Both sides tried to grab a late advantage. A fracas off the ball resulted in a yellow card for Bedwas replacement Harry Oliver and a Penallta forward.
Bedwas woes were compounded by injuries to a few players and with seven minutes left former Bedwas player Corey Tucker crashed over for a try converted by Stevens which cut the Bedwas lead cut to a single point.
Bedwas dug deep and kept possession at the death to hold onto the lead before clearing the ball to touch and claim a deserved win.
Next Saturday (20th January) Bedwas host Brecon RFC in the Championship Cup.
The Bedwas Man of the Match sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant was awarded to Dale Rogers.
Today’s match images can be found at:Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr
Rob Hill’s images can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/123499803@N05/G60o27Q551