Beddau RFC 14 Bedwas RFC 20.
WRU Admiral Championship, Saturday 01 October 2022.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas returned to winning ways with fly half Lloyd Wilkins to the fore as he used the windy conditions better than his opposite number to kick five penalty goals.
Beddau took the lead after 9 minutes through outside half Jack Williams who wrongfooted the Bedwas defence to cross under the posts. Full back Callum Wheeler added the extras.
Bedwas lost Rhys Hutcherson to injury as he hobbled off to be replaced by Ryan Thomas with eleven minutes played.
Beddau sought to increase their lead but after a conceding a penalty Bedwas successfully repelled a Beddau driving maul.
The home side enjoyed plenty of possession and territory but could not convert it into points as Bedwas struggled to get out of their own half.
A Lloyd Wilkins penalty following an adjudged high tackle closed the gap to four points.
Beddau had a chance to increase their lead shortly before the interval as a penalty kick was guided into a corner. However, from the lineout’s driving maul they conceded a penalty and Bedwas were able to clear the ball.
With the wind at their backs for the second half Lloyd Wilkins kicked a penalty from the halfway line to put Bedwas one point behind. Wilkins’ third penalty of the afternoon after 50 minutes put Bedwas ahead for the first time.
Tom Chapman who replaced Jo Hole after the break and Lewis Crane both made breaks deep into the Beddau half but were unable to cross the whitewash.
The lead was increased after an hour’s play. On permit signing Iwan Burgwin ran through for a try close to the posts and although Wilkins miskicked his conversion attempt Bedwas were seven points ahead.
Wilkins’s fourth penalty of the afternoon half-way through the half extended the Bedwas advantage before Bedwas flanker Rhys Jones was sinbinned for pulling down a Beddau maul.
Beddau took full advantage of the loss of a Bedwas player and from the driving maul from the line-out penalty their forwards drove over the line with replacement front rower Lloyd James claiming the try. Callum Wheeler slotted the extras and only three points separated the two teams.
With two minutes to play Wilkins steadied Bedwas nerves with a fifth penalty of the afternoon but Beddau refused to lie down.
With the seconds ticking away towards full time they mounted a final assault, but the ball was knocked on as they bore down on the Bedwas line. Bedwas were able to clear the ball and the referee blew his whistle to end the game.
Next week Bedwas host Cardiff Met RFC, kick off at 2-30pm.
More images from this game can be found at Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr