Bedwas RFC 19 Penallta RFC 55
WRU Admiral Championship East, Saturday 14 October 2023
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Accuracy, discipline, and desire all contribute to a winning performance, sadly from a Bedwas perspective it was Penallta that showed these attributes as they dismantled Bedwas.
With the wind at their backs on a bright October afternoon it took Penallta barely two minutes to get on the score sheet as back rower Geraint Dallimore crossed for a try converted by Lewis Stephens.
Stevens increased his sides tally with a penalty goal two minutes later before missing a second kick after 6 minutes as Bedwas were penalised for not rolling away at a ruck.
Gethin Coleman had the chance to reduce arrears shortly afterwards but has penalty shot went wide.
Penallta increased their lead after 15 minutes blind side flanker Dafydd Rees crossing the whitewash, but Stephens missed the extras, but he was successful with a penalty goal two minutes later.
Penallta showed no signs of easing up and a Bedwas clearance kick was charged down by Laurence Prichard who collected the rebound to cross. Stephens added the extras and Penallta were 25 points ahead with 19 minutes played.
It could have been worse for Bedwas as another Penallta try was ruled out for a knock on before Bedwas found themselves a man short following Rhys Jones’s sinbinning.
Bedwas held out for 8 minutes whilst a man down but on the half hour Penallta scored their fourth try as Prichard grabbed his second of the day, converted by Stephens. A minute later further Bedwas indiscipline gave Penallta another kickable penalty opportunity and Stephens gratefully accepted the offer.
Penallta continued to dominate possession and territory and added a fifth try with 34 minutes elapsed, Dafydd Rees again on the scoresheet, Stephens missed the conversion, but half time arrived with penalty 40 points to the good.
Penallta increased their lead after 43 minutes via another Stephens penalty as Bedwas began to make changes from the replacements bench.
Bedwas finally began to gain some territory and with almost an hour gone a catch and drive from a line out saw captain Dale Rogers the last one up from a pile of bodies to finally give the home fans something to cheer about. Gethin Coleman’s conversion kick drifted wide.
The joy was short-lived as Prichard crossed for his third try of the afternoon, this time unconverted.
Sam Davies pulled a try back for Bedwas after 70 minutes converted by Coleman, but the Penallta response was fast and decisive as Stephens added to his tally with a try and conversion to put his side past 50 points.
A Bedwas try and conversion by Gethin Coleman reduced the arrears, but it was too little too late to save Bedwas disappointment.
Match gallery is at: Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr
Rob Hill’s photos here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/123499803@N05/L4rW969ce7