Bedwas marked their first match of the new year by advancing to the second round of the WRU National Cup.
The side clinched their place in the draw after beating Rhydyfelin 24-8 away from home.
Bedwas were able to put their recent Principality Premiership defeats behind them after the result against the second-tier outfit.
The hosts took an early lead through a David Gratton penalty after Bedwas were penalised at the ruck.
Despite a resilient effort to stop Bedwas scoring, Rhydyfelin were reduced to 14 men for ten minutes after a scrum offence.
But Bedwas were unable to make the most of the advantage and failed to get onto the scoreboard.
The visitors continued to attack the Rhydyfelin defence and were eventually awarded a penalty try, with prop Dale Green seeing yellow to reduce the hosts to 14 men once again.
But Rhydyfelin dug in deep to stop Bedwas from penetrating their try-line before half-time.
Three minutes into the second half, Joe Scrivens broke from deep and danced past a number of defenders before diving in for a try under the posts. He then kicked the conversion to increase Bedwas’ lead.
Indiscipline struck again for Rhydyfelin as scrum-half Garyn Lucas was shown a straight red for punching in a ruck.
Bedwas responded by making a string of changes, but it was the hosts who scored next as winger Gavin Close grabbed an unconverted try.
After the hour mark, Scrivens missed a penalty and the chance to extend Bedwas’ lead.
However, three minutes later, Scrivens had another penalty and made no mistake as he clinched the three points.
With 12 minutes left, Lewis Bowden’s pass found Kane Teear-Bourge, who beat his marker for pace and raced over for a try. Scrivens then kicked the conversion as his side took a comfortable lead with little time remaining.
The game finished 24-8 to Bedwas, who will be in the second round draw after returning to winning ways.
Bedwas are back in Principality Premiership action at 2.30pm on Saturday, January 12 when they travel to Llandovery.
Report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell