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Bargoed’s unbeaten start to the season continued after they beat Bedwas in the WRU National Championship Cup on Saturday, September 18.

Bargoed clinched a 24-22 win at the Bridgefield in Bedwas, with the hosts coming away with a losing bonus-point for their efforts.

It was the second time the sides had met this season, with Bargoed winning the first meeting 13-7 at Bargoed Park in August.

Bedwas took an early lead seven minutes into the game when a break from scrum-half Rory Harries’ set up Owen Jones to score a try under the posts.

Outside-half Matty Bancroft scored the conversion to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

But Bargoed responded with two tries in two minutes midway through the half. The first was scored by hooker Wade Long, with winger Steffan Thomas grabbing the second.

Bargoed outside-half Josh Prosser was successful with both conversion attempts as the visitors went 14-7 up.

The lead was extended after 32 minutes, with Bargoed scrum-half James Leadbetter scoring his side’s third try of the afternoon before Prosser scored the conversion.

Moments later, Bedwas pounced on a loose ball from a hopeful kick up field to win back possession, which lead to centre Dafydd Thomas scoring the narrow the gap. Bancroft added the two extra points as the sides went into the break with Bargoed leading 21-14.

The first points of the second half went to Bedwas as Bancroft’s penalty kick sailed between the posts, narrowing Bargoed’s lead to four points.

However, ill-discipline struck shortly after, with a skirmish leading to both teams being reduced to 14 men for ten minutes.

With both teams a player down, Bargoed extended their lead back to seven points through a Prosser penalty.

Shortly after, a Bedwas attack was brought down close to Bargoed’s try-line. There were appeals for a penalty try but the referee award Bedwas a penalty instead.

There was more controversy to come, with Bedwas claiming their player was tripped during an attack. However, the referee waved play on – much to the dismay of the home supporters.

The hosts continued to put pressure on Bargoed’s defence and were awarded a penalty late on, which they kicked into touch. Trailing by seven points, Bedwas bulldozed their way across the line in the right-hand corner, with No.8 Alex Bourne claiming the try.

Up stepped Bancroft to take the conversion from out wide – with his side trailing by two points. But it was not to be for Bedwas, with the kick drifting across the posts and narrowly missing the target.

Bargoed then held on to see out a 24-22 victory – their fourth win in their first four games in the WRU National Championship Cup.

Bargoed remain top of the group with 18 points, with Bedwas second on seven points and Cross Keys bottom with no points.

Bedwas will play their final game in the group stages of the competition on Saturday, September 25, with a trip to Pandy Park to take on Cross Keys at 2.30pm.

Match report and imagery provided by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.