Penallta RFC 32 Bedwas RFC 31.
WRU Championship East, Saturday 07 September 2024.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Will Keep’s third try of the afternoon saw Penallta come from behind to snatch victory in the closing minute of an evenly contested, first game of the season.
On an overcast muggy afternoon both sides started at a brisk pace it was the home side who opened the scoring after 7 minutes, with inside centre Will Keep drifting through a gap to cross for a try. Joseph Scrivens added the conversion.
Lloyd Wilkins slotted a penalty halfway through the half, but it was the home side who increased their lead just after the half hour mark. Having seen his teammates knock on within sight of the try line Will Keep made no mistake to cross. Joseph Scrivens’ penalty hit a post and rebounded to safety.
With the half nearing completion Joseph Scrivens found himself sin binned and immediately Bedwas took advantage of the extra man to respond with a Lloyd Wilkins try and conversion to see the half time score at Penallta 12 Bedwas 10.
With Scrivens on an enforced break that man Will Keep added a penalty goal, although not without some controversy. Both touch judges kept their flags down to signal no goal only for the referee (as is his prerogative) to overrule them and award the goal.
Shortly afterwards it was Bedwas’s turn to be a man down with Adam Williams seeing yellow for an off the ball challenge on a Penallta player as both chased down a kick.
This time it was the home side’s turn to take advantage of the superior player count and a flowing movement down the Bedwas right saw Patrick Lewis cross for a try converted by Scrivens.
Bedwas rang the changes with Jordan Rogers making an impact as he crossed for a try close to the post, Lloyd Wilkins converted.
With approximately 14 minutes to play Rhys Morgans took advantage of a mix up in the home defence to cross for a try to level the scores; Lloyd Wilkins added the conversion to put Bedwas ahead for the first time in the contest.
Another Penallta error with eight minutes to play saw Lloyd Wilkins burst through for a try he converted himself to put Bedwas 9 points clear.
A Joesph Scrivens penalty reduced arrears with five minutes left, but Bedwas hopes of holding on imploded with a minute left to play with confusion at a line out saw the throw in lost. After some direct running, the irrepressible Will Keep had the last word to score his hat-trick try under the posts. Scrivens gratefully accepted the opportunity to clinch the game for his side.
Bedwas must console themselves with two bonus points – for finishing within seven points and scoring four tries.
Next Saturday Bedwas welcome Treorchy to the Bridgefield. This game will kick off at the earlier time of 1-00pm due to a wedding in the main clubhouse room.
