Bedwas RFC 36 Bridgend Athletic RFC 15.
WRU Admiral Championship East, Saturday 20th September 2025.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
A dominant first half for Bedwas scoring four tries laid the platform for what turned out to be to hard earned win as Bridgend Athletic surged back to dominate the second half.
On a showery, mild early Autumn afternoon Bedwas were quickly into their stride, taking the lead after five minutes as hooker Mike Dacey’s line out throw was immediately thrown back to him and he cantered in for the opening try. James Dixon added the extras.
Bedwas doubled their lead five minutes later as a break through midfield by Rhys Peters created space for Hamish Anderson to cross for a try. James Dixon’s conversion kick ricocheted back off a post to safety.
Bridgend Athletic rallied and a penalty kick from just inside the Bedwas half was successful for scrum half Evan D’Adamo.
Bedwas came straight back with a try by Aaron Billingham, converted by Dixon increased the home side’s lead.
Both sides were reduced to fourteen men after twenty-six minutes as Mike Dacey and Tom Morgan were sinbinned for exchanging punches.
Three minutes later Aaron Billingham crossed for his second try of the afternoon and in doing so gained his side a bonus point. James Dixon added the extras, but no further points were added in the remaining eleven minutes of the first half.
Bedwas replaced Jordan Rogers and Hamish Anderson for Rhys Hutcherson and Lloyd Wilkins respectively, but it was Athletic who scored first via an uncontested run down the flank by winger McKenzie Gray converted by D’Adamo.
Bridgend upped the ante and Bedwas were adjudged guilty of pulling down a maul resulting in a yellow card for Harry Oliver.
The visitors responded instantly and added a second try by hooker Lee Murphy but D’Adamo’s conversion kick went wide.
The wet conditions made life difficult but both sides tried to play running rugby but couldn’t conjure up a score.
A James Dixon penalty kick with seven minutes left to play settled Bedwas nerves and extended the advantage to fourteen points thus giving the visitors a big gap to claw back.
Replacement scrum half Jak Robbins who entered the field three minutes earlier got on the end of a James Dixon kick through to cross for what was the last play of the game. James Dixon added the extras, and the referee blew for full time.
Next week is Round One of the Championship Cup competition but Bedwas have no game after being given a bye to Round 2 of the competition.
Today’s game was sponsored by The Bedwas RFC Vice Presidents, we thank them for their continued support.
The Bedwas man of the match sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant of Caerphilly was awarded to Ben Sier.
Images from today’s game can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums
