RGC RFC 27 Bedwas RFC 21
Principality Premiership, April 14
An Adam Williams try with just ten minutes left to play earned Bedwas a deserved losing point at a dry Parc Eirias.
Bedwas started well and got the first try of the afternoon after five minutes when James Richards went over in the corner for a converted try.
The Bridgemen’s forward dominance continued to reap rewards as they pushed the home pack backwards.
But when RGC’s backs had the ball they presented a threat which Bedwas defended well to keep in check.
RGC outside-half Jacob Botica had a chance to pull back 3 points after a ruck offence but his kick went wide.
Two minutes later the home side crossed for a try as quick hands put right-wing Afon Bagshaw in for a try and Botica made no mistake with his conversion to level the scores.
The home side looked came close to a try from fullback Dion Jones before Bedwas stole possession to relieve the pressure.
Just before half time a move started by a break by Steffan Jones saw the ball kept alive by Luke Crane who moved the ball onto skipper Alun Rees to cross out wide. Jones added the extras to put Bedwas 14-7 ahead at the interval.
Bedwas replaced the injured Geraint Edmunds with Ben Thompson at the start of the second half, but the game turned with the replacement of both of the home side’s prop forwards.
This paid almost immediate dividends as RGC gained the upper hand in the tight and from the first scrum of the second half Bedwas were penalised.
A quick tap penalty found the visiting defence napping and after the ball went through several pairs of hands left-wing Rhys Williams crossed for a converted try to level the scores.
RGC earned another scrum penalty after 53 minutes and Botica took the opportunity to put his side ahead for the first time in the contest.
Home supporters thought they’d bagged a try but the referee ruled it out for a forward pass, but three minutes later a Bedwas high tackle in front of the posts gave Botica the chance to increase his side’s lead.
The Bedwas restart went out on the full and from the restart scrum on the halfway line Tiann Loots made an incisive break to set up Tom Hughes for a try.
With just ten minutes left to play Adam Williams beautifully side-stepped past an RGC defender before sprinting through from 40 metres out to earn the losing bonus point.
- Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.