Bedwas’ hopes of Principality Premiership survival were dealt a huge blow after they lost to RGC 1404 on Saturday, March 30.
RGC scored seven tries at a sunny Bridgefield to claim a 45-17 bonus-point victory.
The defeat sees Bedwas slip back into the relegation zone.
The North Wales side opened the scoring in just the second minute when scrum-half Efan Jones crossed over the line.
Billy McBride, the son of former Welsh international Robyn McBride, converted to give his side an early 7-0 lead.
Bedwas fullback Joseph Scrivens scored a penalty in the seventh minute to register his side’s first points on the scoreboard.
The visitors were beginning to find their rhythm and extended their lead in the 24th minute when hooker Evan Yardley scored a try which was converted by McBride.
Moments later, RGC scored their third try, this time courtesy of centre Iolo Evans. McBride converted again and the visitors were just one try away from securing a bonus point.
The bonus point was secured in the 36th minute when winger Harri Evans crossed over for RGC’s fourth try. McBride’s conversion gave the visitors a 28-3 lead.
But Bedwas replied just before the end of the half when flanker James Richards was driven over the line for the hosts’ first try of the afternoon.
Scrivens’ conversion meant Bedwas went into the half-time break trailing by 18 points.
The hosts started the second half brightly. Scrum-half Luke Crane caught the visitors by surprise by taking a quick tap penalty before diving over for Bedwas’ second try of the game.
Scrivens continued his accuracy in front of the posts and the deficit was now down to 11 points.
RGC replied in the 50th minute when winger Sam Jones scored in the corner.
McBride missed the conversion but RGC were now 33-17 in front.
RGC centre Danny Cross killed off Bedwas’ chances with a 65th minute try to increase the lead to 38-17.
McBride missed his second conversion as his first half accuracy deserted him, though it was little consolation for Bedwas.
RGC continued to dominate and scored again in the 74th minute. The visitors were awarded a penalty try after the Bedwas scrum was shunted backwards, with replacement hooker Mike Dacey receiving a yellow card and having to spend the remaining minutes on the sidelines.
The final whistle blew to confirm a heavy 45-17 defeat which leaves Bedwas deep in the relegation scrap with five games left to play.
Bedwas will be hoping to bounce back when thy take on relegation-threatened Bridgend on Saturday, April 6 at the Bridgefield.
Report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell.