Ebbw Vale 19 Bedwas 18
Saturday May 6, Eugene Cross Park
Bedwas slipped to their first defeat in four games in this Principality Premiership clash, as both sides found it hard going on a very warm afternoon.
Lewis Dennett’s boot opened the scoring for Ebbw after five minutes when Bedwas were adjudged offside only for his own side to be similarly penalised two minutes later to allow Steffan Jones the opportunity to equalise.
Both sides looked for an opening but wasted opportunities before Ebbw Vale’s outside-centre Paul King made a break and fed the supporting No8 Lewis Young to cross for a try.
Dennett added the extras to put his side 10-3 ahead.
With both sides trying to play the expansive rugby the weather conditions allowed, Bedwas kept the home defence on their toes with a period of sustained pressure – rewarded with a try for Joe Scrivens. However, Jones’ conversion attempt went wide.
Dennett added a second penalty two minutes before the interval to see the score at 13-8 at the interval.
Bedwas went ahead following three minutes of excellence from Steffan Jones as he firstly reduced arrears with a penalty. A minute later he caught his own chip kick through to cross for a try topped off with a successful conversion to put his side 18-13 ahead.
Bedwas looked to turn the screw and when Ebbw were reduced to 14 men following Dennett’s sinbinning for a deliberate knock down this was an ideal scenario but they couldn’t conjure up any points. David McGuigan made a fine break only to be hauled down short of the line but no other opportunities came.
Full-back Dan Haymond took over the kicking duties whilst Dennett sat out of the action and successfully added two kicks to put his side a single point ahead.
A series of scrums around 35 metres out were reset several times by the referee who lectured both front-rows before awarding a penalty to Bedwas.
Steffan Jones stepped up with a chance to steal the honours for Bedwas but unfortunately his kick missed the target.
Ebbw managed the time remaining to starve Bedwas of possession as they clung on to the victory.
On Saturday, May 12, Bedwas travel to Llanelli for their last game of the 2017/18 season.
Following this game there will be a big end of season gathering at Bedwas RFC featuring Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band in a marquee on the pitch.
Tickets are available via the Bedwas RFC website or on the night.
• Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.