Bedwas RFC 54 Penallta RFC 14.
WRU Admiral Championship East, Saturday 10th May 2025.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas pulled the curtain down on a successful season running in eight tries against a depleted but competitive Penallta side.
Before kick-off the large crowd held a beautifully observed one minutes silence in memory of Bedwas’s Steve Jenkins.
On a warm sunny afternoon with the pitch rock hard following a lengthy spell of dry weather Bedwas registered their first try after ninety seconds. A pass across the Penallta defence saw the loose ball gathered up by Rhys Peters to cross. Ben Lewis added the extras.
Bedwas doubled their lead after nine minutes as Aaron Billingham broke through down the left flank to cross for a try converted by Lewis.
Penallta reduced the deficit shortly afterwards with a try and conversion by Joe Scrivens.
A bout of fisticuffs then followed which resulted in yellow cards for Bedwas’s Harry Oliver and Penallta back rower Harry Lewis.
From the resulting penalty the Bedwas pack drove towards the visitors try line before a twenty-metre pass was fired across the line for Aaron Billingham to add his second try of the day close to the corner flag. Ben Lewis successfully converted.
Penallta looked to fight back but lost possession at crucial moments allowing Bedwas to clear their lines.
Shortly before the interval a second yellow card for Harry Lewis became a red card for what the referee adjudged a dangerous tackle Bedwas immediately taking advantage of the extra man as Tristan Kugler ran through the backline for Bedwas bonus point winning try converted by Lewis.
Penallta started the second half strongly with plenty of possession as Bedwas discipline dipped Penallta’s Will Keep crossed for their second try converted by Scrivens.
With a quarter of an hour elapsed Bedwas ran in their fifth try of the afternoon with Ben Sier scoring his first of the season, Lewis’s conversion went wide.
This was quickly followed by a try for Will Fishlock who ran through a gap in the home defence to dot down, Lewis’s conversion kick hit a post and rebounded on target.
It was all Bedwas at this stage and it wasn’t long before try number seven of the afternoon was scored by Adam Williams again converted by Lewis.
With just under twenty minutes of the half to play the game became a little disjointed as Penallta tried in vain to take advantage of Bedwas’s indiscipline but their efforts bought no reward.
Bedwas rounded off the scoring with two minutes left to play with Dale Rogers burrowing over from close range. Lewis’s conversion was successful to end the game.
This result ensures Bedwas finish runners-up in the division with Beddau taking the honours having only lost one league all season (at Bedwas just before Christmas).
We would like to thank the sponsors of this match CDH Contractors Limited for their generous sponsorship of this match. We hope you had an enjoyable afternoon.
The Bedwas Man of the Match sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant of Caerphilly was awarded to Ben Sier.
Bedwas RFC would like to thank the players, coaches, and medical staff for their outstanding efforts this season. Everyone played their part on the field with an especially deserved pat on the back and thank you to Lloyd Wilkins who claimed 337 points for the season from twenty-two tries, ninety-one conversions and fifteen penalty goals. Lloyd has signed a two-year deal with Bridgend Ravens for next season, and we would like to wish him every success.
We would also like to thank our sponsors, staff, and volunteers for their continued support, without which Bedwas RFC would not operate.
Today’s match gallery is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums
