Talywain RFC 14 Bedwas RFC 48.
WRU Admiral Championship East, Thursday 1st May 2025.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas succeeded to gain a bonus point win against a dogged outfit and in doing so keeping the very slim hopes alive of achieving promotion as they returned to the top of the table. This game was also a double header with the semifinal of the Ben Francis Cup (versus Newbridge, date to be confirmed.)
On a pleasant evening after what was the hottest day of the year thus far Bedwas took the lead after four minutes via catch and drive try from a line out, Hooker Mike Dacey crashing through. Lloyd Wilkins added the conversion.
Both sides huffed and puffed but it wasn’t until the twenty first minute that Bedwas increased their lead with Aaron Billingham finishing off a flowing move in the left-hand corner. Wilkins missed the conversion.
Good defence kept Talywain out before their task was made harder as hooker Tom Matthews received a straight red card for a ruck offence after thirty-six minutes.
Bedwas rounded off the half with another catch and drive try from a line out, Mike Dacey again driving the bus to claim his twentieth try of the season. Wilkins converted to complete the half.
Bedwas made changes at the start of the half with both starting prop forwards being replaced for fresh legs.
Barely two minutes into the half Aaron Billingham finished off a move to bring up the fourth try of the game and bonus point. Lloyd Wilkins’s conversion kick went wide.
Talywain responded with a try by outside half Josh Malson, Ethan Davies converted.
Likewise, the Bedwas response was immediate as the defence was caught napping allowing Jak Robbins the time and space to run through a huge gap to touch down under the posts. Wilkins added the extras.
Bedwas made further replacements and with just under half of the allotted time played Rhys Morgans burst through for an unconverted try. Bedwas were now content to run the ball and quick hands across the pitch put Aaron Billingham in for try in the left-hand corner. Wilkins’s conversion kick hit a post and bounced clear.
Talywain didn’t fade and added a second try and conversion by Ethan Davies with ten minutes left to play.
Bedwas rounded off the scoring with two minutes left to play with the referee awarding them a penalty try after the home side infringed at a scrum close to their try line.
As the season closes Bedwas are sitting a point clear at the top of the table with 103 points with one game to play on Saturday 10th May versus Penallta RFC.
Beddau sit in second place on 102 points but with two games remaining, this Saturday away to Cambrian Welfare who will need to win to remain in the Championship before they host Glamorgan Wanderers on Saturday 10th May.
Although it is a tall order for results to go Bedwas’s way there is no harm in daring to dream. Time will tell!
Tonight’s match gallery is at: Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr
