Bedwas kept their Principality Premiership survival hopes alive with a bonus-point win against Aberavon on Saturday, April 27.
Stefan Sankala’s side scored six tries to win 38-19 at Talbot Athletic Ground, a place where they had picked up just one win in their previous 15 games.
With Storm Hannah in full force, Bedwas had the cold wind at their backs in the first half.
Bedwas took the lead after four minutes when winger Deon Smith swallowed up a loose pass to gallop through for a try. Joseph Scrivens added the extras to take his personal tally to the season past 200 points.
The visitors extended their lead five minutes later. Dale Rogers carried the ball to within inches of the try line before the ball was moved across for Jordan Rees to cross in at the left corner.
Scrivens scored the conversion despite the strong winds to make it 14-0 to Bedwas.
Half way through the first half, Bedwas’ lead was cut when Aberavon flanker Lee Purnell crossed the line to score. James Garland added two more points from the kicking tee.
Soon after, Aberavon hooker Ieuan Davies scored the hosts’ second try to cut Bedwas’ lead to just two points.
Garland had the chance to equalise from the conversion, but his attempt was held up by the wind.
But Bedwas regrouped and winger Rees scored his second try of the afternoon to give Bedwas a 19-12 lead.
The wind once again played its part in the match, with Scrivens missing the conversion, which drifted across the posts.
Before the half time whistle could blow, Bedwas secured their four-try bonus point when Gareth Allen crossed over in the corner. Scrivens made it three from four conversions to give Bedwas a 26-12 lead at the interval.
Bedwas extended their lead again in the 53rd minute when captain Alun Rees drove over for his team’s fifth try of the game.
However, Scrivens was denied in front of the posts again as Storm Hannah made her presence felt.
But the game was far from over. Around the hour mark, Aberavon were awarded a penalty try which saw Bedwas prop Brynley Toms shown a yellow card and sent to the sidelines for ten minutes.
The hosts, who now trailed 31-19, tried to make the most of the advantage but were unable to break through the impressive Bedwas defence.
The away side wrapped up the game when centre Adam Williams powered through Aberavon’s defence to score a try under the posts.
Scrivens converted and Bedwas held out to claim a vital win in their bid to stay in the Principality Premiership next season.
Bedwas play their final game of the season on Saturday, May 4 when they welcome Swansea to the Bridgefield in a must-win affair.
Report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell.