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Bedwas 11-28 Bargoed, WRU National Championship, Friday March 10

Four-try Bargoed have earned local bragging rights after a bonus-point victory at Bedwas on Friday night.

A fairly tight affair, the Bulls scored two late tries to pull away from their hosts and deny them anything from the game.

Bedwas opened the scoring under the floodlights, with James Dixon converting a penalty kick after two minutes, following a Bargoed infringement at a ruck.

The visitors soon hit back though and a fast break put ex-Bedwas man Steffan Jones in for Bargoed’s first try of the evening, which Jones converted himself.

But barely a minute later and Bargoed committed another ruck offence – resulting in Dixon scoring Bedwas’ second penalty of the game.

After 16 minutes, Bedwas seized the lead when hooker Mike Dacey made good ground before offloading to Rhys Morgans, who crossed in the corner to put the hosts 11-7 up. Dixon missed the conversion attempt.

However, Bargoed’s lead was restored later in the first half, following a period of prolonged pressure and possession. Lewis Lippiett was the man to get the try, which Jones converted to put Bargoed 14-11 up.

As half-time beckoned, Dixon had the chance to tie up the scores but his long range kick went wide of the posts.

After the break, Bedwas had much more possession but they were unable to convert it into points – even after Bargoed were reduced to 14 players when Wade Langley was shown a yellow card.

With just three points between the sides heading into the final minutes of the game, victory was still up for grabs for both sides.

However, it was Bargoed who pulled clear when James Leadbeater crossed for a try in the 74th minute, which was converted by Jones.

Then, with just two minutes remaining, Bargoed rubbed salt in Bedwas wounds when Ollie Andrews ran in for his side’s fourth try to seal a bonus-point win as Jones converted once again.

The win sees Bargoed remain third in the table, with 58 points after 14 games. Bedwas meanwhile stay eighth, seven wins and nine defeats in 16 games.

Bargoed return to action at 7.15pm on Wednesday March 15 when they host Ystrad Rhondda at Bargoed Park.

Bedwas meanwhile play their next game on Saturday March 25, travelling to Cyncoed to face Cardiff Met, with Bargoed playing Maesteg Harlequins away on the same day.

Match report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC