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Bedwas 47-17 Maesteg Harlequins, WRU National Championship, Saturday April 1

Seven-try Bedwas returned to winning ways against an injury-hit Maesteg Harlequins side, who had just 18 players in their matchday squad at the Bridgefield.

A minute silence was held before kick-off in memory of former Bedwas player and sponsor Peter Thomas, following his death aged 79.

Maesteg opened the scoring through a Geraint Evans try, converted by Owen Howe, but Bedwas responded soon after with a try from Lewis Crane – who would go on to score a hat-trick.

James Dixon added the conversion to draw the sides level at 7-7.

Bedwas continued to put pressure on the visitors and it paid off when centre Sam Davies crossed the try-line to give them the lead. Dixon was successful with the conversion.

Howe slotted home a Quins penalty to reduce Bedwas’ lead, but two minutes later Bedwas scored again – this time through Lloyd Wilkins as Dixon scored his third conversion of the afternoon.

Bedwas sealed the bonus-point five minutes later when Crane scored Bedwas’ fourth try of the game – and his second.

Dixon again scored the conversion to give the hosts a 28-10 lead, which they would take into the break.

The second half became a bit of an arm wrestle with neither side looking like scoring, but it was Maesteg who were again first on the board when captain Steve Williams crashed over for a try converted by Howe.

But, with 68 minutes played, Maesteg were reduced to 14 men when hooker Dean Ronan was shown a yellow card.

Bedwas made the most of the advantage as Crane ran in for his hat-trick, which Dixon converted to restore his side’s 18-point lead.

Liam Jenkins added to the lead with a try a few minutes later, bursting from just inside the Maesteg half and beating a couple of defenders to cross over for try number six for Bedwas.

Dixon’s conversion attempt fell wide, but it had little impact on the outcome of the game, with Bedwas 23 points to the good.

However, despite the hefty lead, Bedwas were not finished.

With the last play of the game, Corey Howells saw off would-be tacklers to score Bedwas’ seventh try – which Dixon converted to secure a 30-point buffer as the referee blew for full time.

The win sees Bedwas remain eighth after 18 games, with eight wins and ten defeats.

Bedwas return to action on Saturday April 8, when they head west to face Ystalyfera for a 2.30pm kick-off.

Match report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC