Bedwas RFC 45 Llangennech RFC 36
WRU Admiral Welsh Premiership, Saturday 26 September 2026.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
The first ever meeting between the two clubs resulted in an entertaining fixture, the teams sharing eleven tries and Bedwas mounting a stirring comeback in the second half when all seemed lost at the interval.
On a sunny, mild early Autumn afternoon the day did not start well for Bedwas as a mistake from kick-off gifted early possession for the visitors. They wasted no time in getting on the score board with a well worked try by winger Tommy Williams, converted by Steffan Marshall within the first ninety seconds.
Llangennech put Bedwas under pressure and were rewarded with a penalty shot after thirteen minutes when Bedwas were adjudged offside. The kick went wide.
The pressure continued and the visitors increased their lead after twenty minutes with another well worked try this time from full back Sion Jones. Marshall again adding the extras.
Bedwas’s torrid start continued on the half hour mark as the visitor’s pack rumbled over for a try claimed by debutant Rhys Owen, Marshall’s conversion putting his side twenty-one points to nil ahead. Bedwas at this stage were like a ‘punch-drunk boxer’- on the ropes.
Bedwas gradually came back into the game. before the Bedwas pack executed a catch and drive move for Mike Dacey to be driven over for try converted by James Dixon. Llangennech captain Shaun Edwards was adjudged guilty of an offence in the driving maul and despatched to the sin bin.
Llangennech dug deep for the remainder of the half and no further scores were added but with a twenty-one points to seven deficit at the break Bedwas had a big hill to climb in the second half.
Bedwas made four changes at the start of the second half. Rhys Peters, Rhys Hutcherson, Lewis Stevens and Harvey Jenkins making way for Jake Lee, Jordan Rogers, Lewis Crane, and Dale Rogers, respectively.
The rewards were there within two minutes as Dylan Lawler crashed over from a close-range scrum after Dale Rogers came close to crossing. James Dixon converted.
Seven minutes later Bedwas were level. Tristan Kugler made a fine break down the right wing and touched down under the posts. Dixon added the extras.
Llangennech inched ahead courtesy of a Steffan Marshall penalty, but Bedwas stormed back. A break by Rhys Morgans was rewarded with a try for Jac Crompton to earn Bedwas a four-try bonus point. Dixon converted to put Bedwas ahead for the first time in the contest.
The game began to open up, and the visitors earned a four-try bonus point with a try from Tommy Williams, improved upon by Marshall for a three-point lead.
Bedwas responded with a second Tristan Kugler try converted by Dixon to creep four points ahead with a quarter of the game to go.
With their tails up Bedwas increased their lead thanks to another catch and drive try by Mike Dacey, converted by Dixon.
The see-saw nature of the game continued with Llangennech’s Tommy Williams crossing for his third try of the afternoon out wide to the right of the posts. Steffan Marshall missed his conversion attempt and with four minutes to play Bedwas were forty-two points to thirty-six ahead.
The game was still in the balance but with a minute or so to play a close-range James Dixon penalty put Bedwas in an unassailable position with a nine-point margin. The ball being finally cleared to touch on the final whistle to the relief of the Bedwas faithful and probably the opposite emotion for the visiting supporters. Llangennech must take some plaudits for their part in an absorbing game.
The two teams will do it all again next Saturday when Llangennech return to Bedwas for a Premier Cup tie, kick-off is at 2-30pm.
The Bedwas Man of the Match sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant of Caerphilly was awarded to Tristan Kugler.
Today’s match gallery is at www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc.albums
