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Bedwas 24-34 Beddau, WRU National Championship, Saturday March 4

Four-try Bedwas were denied a losing bonus-point at the death as a last gasp Beddau penalty kick sealed a ten-point victory for the visitors.

Despite opening the scoring through an unconverted Lloyd Wilkins try, mistakes proved costly for Bedwas who slumped to their second consecutive league defeat at the Bridgefield.

After taking the lead after just four minutes, Bedwas were denied a second try six minutes later after Mike Dacey’s foot was in touch.

From the resulting lineout, Beddau made rapid ground up the field and winger Ewan Roberts exploited a static Bedwas defence to draw Beddau level with a try which went unconverted.

But the sides weren’t level for long. Five minutes later, Bedwas were caught off-guard and a jinking run from full back Cody Baker saw him run from deep to touch down under the posts. Cameron Evans scored the conversion to give Beddau a 12-5 lead.

Bedwas could not find a breakthrough of their own in response, instead suffering from mishandling of the ball and a series of penalties conceded.

With half an hour played, Beddau hooker Lloyd James extended their lead with a try, which was again converted by Evans.

Three minutes before the break, Beddau increased their advantage when Roberts scored his second try of the afternoon to secure Beddau’s four-try bonus-point.

Bedwas salvaged something late in the second half as Liam Jenkins burst through to cross the line for a try converted by James Dixon.

The sides returned to the field in the second half with Bedwas 24-12 down and despite dominating possession after the break, Beddau remained resolute.

Around the hour mark, Bedwas made changes, with Dylan Morgan replacing Sam Davies and Harry Oliver coming in for Matthew Bovington. Within two minutes of coming on, Oliver picked up a loose ball and charged through for try number three for Bedwas, which was converted by Dixon.

Bedwas continued to dominate the possession but it was Beddau who made sure of the victory with a fifth try through replacement front-row man Ben Lee, with Evans converted to increase the deficit to 12 points with ten minutes left.

Bedwas’ four-try bonus point was secured three minutes from the end, with Ben Sier crossed the try-line. Now just seven points behind, a losing bonus-point was also on the cards for Bedwas.

But it wasn’t to be, with a last gasp Beddau penalty kick from Evans leaving Bedwas having to settle for just the one point for their efforts.

The defeat means Bedwas remain in eighth place in the league table after seven wins and eight losses in 15 games.

Bedwas return to action at 7.15pm on Friday March 10, welcoming high-flying Bargoed, fresh off a 50-19 win over Cardiff Met, to the Bridgefield.

Match report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC