Principality Welsh Premiership, Sunday October 6 2013.
Match report and photography by Bedwas RFC’s Ian Lovell
A late penalty try helped Bedwas see off a determined Llanelli on a sunny, mild October afternoon in front of the S4C television cameras.
Llanelli took the lead after four minutes courtesy of a Josh Lewis penalty. Bedwas hit back following a line out the ball was moved into midfield and Pewtner crossed left of the posts, Powell missed the conversion.
Llanelli hammered away at the Bedwas line but were unable to cross the whitewash. Lewis added three further penalties before the interval including one from half way to extend his sides’ lead to 12 points to five. In contrast Bedwas’ normally reliable kicker Richard Powell was having an off day, missing what for him is usually a standard kick. He eventually found his range in first half injury time to reduce the deficit to four points.
Powell missed another penalty chance after 43 minutes but made amends one minute later in front of the sticks and Llanelli’s lead was a single point.
Llanelli’s Josh Lewis maintained his 100% record for the afternoon with another penalty after 48 minutes but his side were still unable to break through for a try as Bedwas defended strongly.
A raft of Bedwas substitutions after 56 minutes with the entire front row replaced proved a decisive moment as Bedwas were able to dominate in the tight.
Powell missed two penalty chances after 63 and 69 minutes as despite dominating Bedwas couldn’t put Llanelli to bed.
Late in the game Bedwas were camped deep in the visitors half. Having had a try chalked off by the video official for held up the Bedwas pack turned up the heat. Llanelli’s discipline went west and replacement flanker Owain Morgan and centre Jonny Lewis saw yellow cards before the referee awarded Bedwas a penalty try after the Llanelli scrum disintegrated. Powell added the conversion.
There followed a long period of injury time but still Bedwas kept their line intact. Powell added a third penalty of the afternoon deep into stoppage time to the delight of the home faithful.
Bedwas’ next match is at home to Carmarthen Quins on Saturday October 26, at 2.30pm.