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Bedwas 31-25 Narberth, WRU National Championship

A late Dafydd Thomas try kept Bedwas in a title race after a close fought encounter in the sunshine against a tough Narberth outfit on Saturday, March 26.

Bedwas started quickly and kicked to touch off the back of a penalty, Mike Dacey was driven over from the following lineout to put the home side ahead with barely two minutes played. Dion McIntosh added the extras.

Narberth responded seven minutes later as a stray Bedwas pass was intercepted by inside-centre Jake Jenkins, who sprinted through for a try beneath the posts. Outside-half Ashley Sutton added the conversion to tie up the scores.

Narberth edged ahead after fourteen minutes following a Bedwas no-arms tackle led to a penalty, which was successfully converted by Sutton for three points.

But Bedwas fought back. A quick break followed by a kick through and a sprint for the line was won by fullback Hamish Anderson, who crossed the line for Bedwas to reclaim the lead. McIntosh again added the extras from the kicking tee.

A loose ball won by Bedwas’ Aaron Billingham allowed the home side to extend their lead as Bedwas scored their third try, which was improved upon by McIntosh in blustery conditions.

Narberth hit back almost immediately. Winger Aled Rees took advantage of some poor tackling from Bedwas to score just before the interval. The kick was converted by Sutton to cut Bedwas’ lead by six points going into the break.

Bedwas opened the scoring in the second half, with McIntosh’s penalty giving the hosts a 24-15 lead.

But neither side forced many scoring opportunities as the game became a struggle for dominance as the second half went on.

Narberth scored a try with about eight minutes to play through scrum-half George MacDonald after a period of prolonged pressure. Sutton added the conversion and then slotted home a penalty moments later to put the visitors ahead by a single point with just six minutes to play.

With the clock running down Bedwas had it all to do. In stepped Dafydd Thomas, who gathered a kick close to the halfway line.

Shrugging aside several would-be tacklers, a lung bursting run saw James cross for a try, leaving McIntosh with a straightforward conversion to restore Bedwas’ lead and secure a fourth-try bonus-point in the process.

Narberth kept their heads in the game but there wasn’t enough time for them to retake the league, with the Pembrokeshire-side having to settle for a losing bonus-point.

The win sees Bedwas move to within just one point of WRU National League leaders Bargoed, having played two more games.

Bedwas were scheduled to take on Beddau in the last round of Championship Plate next week. However, with Beddau withdrawing from the competition, Bedwas have been awarded the win.

This means the next Bedwas game will be away to Pontypool on Saturday, April 9.

Match report by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC