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Bedwas 51-0 Tata Steel, WRU National Championship, Saturday May 20

Bedwas finished their season on a high with a nine-try romp over Tata Steel – who finished their season with 26 defeats in 26 games.

On a warm but breezy afternoon at the Bridgefield, Bedwas started quickly and a lineout stolen from a Tata throw-in saw the ball moved out to Aaron Billingham, whose try opened the scoring in the third minute.

James Dixon increased the lead with his conversion.

Hooker Evan Wood dived through for the first try in senior rugby to further extend the hosts’ lead, but Dixon was unable to score the conversion this time.

But he made no mistake from the kicking tee shortly after, converting Billingham’s second try of the afternoon to give Bedwas a 19-0 lead.

The hosts were reduced to 14 men just before half-time, with Craig Hudd controversially sin-binned for what the referee deemed to be a high tackle.

But it didn’t deter Bedwas, who sealed their four-try bonus-point within a minute of the second half. Will Fishlock caught the ball from Tata’s kick-off and made good ground before offloading to winger Ieuan-Rhys Beel to score his first try for Bedwas.

Dixon’s conversion went wide, but Bedwas still led 24-0.

That lead was increased eight minutes later after Dafydd Thomas broke from deep to set up Sam George for Bedwas’ fifth try, which was converted by Dixon.

Determined to build on their advantage, Bedwas scored again, with club captain Dale Rogers getting in on the act with an unconverted try, before Evan Wood scored his second try, again unconverted, to put Bedwas 41-0 up.

Try number eight followed with ten minutes remaining, as prop Ryan Thomas crashed through the visitors’ defence for his first Bedwas try.

Replacement Sam Davies, who took over kicking duties, saw his conversion go wide.

The rout was completed on the last play of the game, with Wood completing his hat-trick in just his second game of senior rugby. Again, Davies’ conversion went wide.

The win sees Bedwas move up to seventh in the WRU National Championship, ahead of Cross Keys.

However, the Keys are only four points behind and have a game left to play.

Match report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC