Bargoed remained top of the WRU National Championship with a bonus-point win over Ystalyfera, while Bedwas were knocked out of the WRU Challenge Plate Cup with a defeat at Cardiff Met.
Cross Keys were not in action over the weekend, but will take on Tata Steel at Pandy Park on Saturday, January 22.
Cardiff Met 29-17 Bedwas
Ill-discipline was the undoing of Bedwas over the weekend as they were beaten by Cardiff Met in the WRU Challenge Plate Cup.
The home side took an early lead through a penalty from outside centre Bradley Roderick-Evans. Bedwas replied swiftly as a loose ball found its way to James Richards, who sprinted clear to touch down just short of the deadball line.
Dion McIntosh added the conversion.
Ill-discipline proved costly for Bedwas, who lost two players for yellow card offences in the first half, surrendering possession for large parts of the game.
Met’s winger Brad Denty crossed for a try while Bedwas were down to thirteen men, giving the home side the advantage – a lead they maintained for the rest of the game.
Roderick-Evans added another penalty after half an hour as Met continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession.
Despite a missed Met penalty kick before the half ended, the hosts went into the break leading 13-7.
James Richards became the third Bedwas player to be sin-binned early in the second half, this time for a high tackle.
Whilst a Lewis Bowden try briefly brought Bedwas back into the tie, it wasn’t long before Roderick-Evans added to his kicking tally, bringing his afternoon’s total to five.
A Dion McIntosh penalty with eight minutes left to play reduced arrears but the students ensured victory as prop Oliver Andrews crossed for a try converted by the irrepressible Roderick-Evans to give him nineteen points on the day.
Bedwas are back in league action on Saturday, January 22 when they welcome Ystalyfera RFC to the Bridgefield, kick-off at 2.30pm.
Match report by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC
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Ystalyfera 3-26 Bargoed
The home side had the edge early on and dominated territory before taking a deserved lead with a Steffan Castle penalty after 15 minutes.
Bargoed grew into the game as momentum started to swing, with impressive scrum-half James Leadbeater scampering over from a penalty advantage for a try. Josh Prosser added the conversion to give the visitors a 7-3 lead.
Despite a yellow card for the hosts towards the end of the first half, Bargoed failed to capitalise as the score remained the same when the half-time whistle blew.
The second half saw Bargoed look to play more expansively and with Ystalyfera getting a second yellow for persistent offending, the Bulls increased their lead when Prop Keegan Bale crashed over from close range.
Prosser added the extras for the visitors to increase the lead to 14-3.
Another yellow card for the hosts proved to be the final blow as two quick tries were scored, giving Bargoed the hard-fought win and bonus point. The win means Bargoed maintain their position at the top of the league.
Bargoed will take on Narberth at home in their next game, which will be played on Saturday, January 22.
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