Bedwas RFC 38 Narberth RFC 13
WRU National Championship, Saturday 12th October 2019.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas maintained their unbeaten start of the season running in six tries past a plucky Narberth side which worked hard throughout the game.
Following more heavy rain in the 48 hours leading up to the game credit must again go to the ground staff for preparing an excellent surface.
Bedwas got off to a fast start and took the lead after two minutes when full back James Hallett found enough space to sprint through a gap and just winning the race to the line. The same player’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Narberth struck back six minutes later courtesy of a try out wide by right winger Yannic Parker, full back Nick Gale’s conversion drifting wide. Gale was successful with a penalty goal a few minutes later after Bedwas were penalised for holding on to the ball in a ruck.
The Bedwas response was rapid. A penalty kick to the corner produced the perfect catch and drive line-out and Mike Dacey emerged from the pile of bodies to claim the try. Hallett’s conversion attempt was again off target.
Both sides continued to battle away but solid defences saw no further points scored until just before the interval when James Hallett added a penalty goal to see Bedwas lead 13 points to 8.
Just as in the first half Bedwas were quickly into their stride following the half time break and within four minutes left winger Jordan Rees ran in from 25 metres brushing off a couple of would-be tacklers to score a try in the corner. Again Hallett’s conversion went wide.
Narberth responded immediately and a second unconverted try by right winger Yannic Parker saw them within five points of Bedwas.
Bedwas were in no mood to surrender and two tries in three minutes took the game away from the visitors. Brynley Toms returning to the club on permit from Cardiff RFC was driven over, followed by a great solo effort from Craig Hudd who galloped through from 30 metres out put Bedwas in control. Both went unconverted but such misses were not going to affect the outcome.
Bradley Williams and his brother Matt were replaced after 65 minutes but Bedwas rhythm was maintained as Owain Keane grabbed an opportunist try after sniping through a gap in the visitors defence. Replacement fly half Dion McIntosh added the conversion. A few minutes later thought he’d scored a second try following a quickly taken tap penalty but the referee decided to disallow the score.
A Dion McIntosh penalty goal after 76 minutes wrapped up proceedings and Bedwas celebrations began.
The Man of the Match award sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant of Caerphilly was awarded to Bradley Williams. Bradley who is sponsored by Mr Don Jones had an excellent game at fly half in his first start for Bedwas after making an impact from the replacements bench in recent games.
Next Saturday Bedwas travel to Trebanos in the Swansea Valley and as is the pattern at the moment will be facing another side who have been soundly beaten by table toppers Pontypool.
Images from this game can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums