Bedwas’ 100% winning record in the WRU National Championship came to an end as they were beaten 26-10 at Bargoed on Saturday, December 28.
Bargoed’s dominant pack proved a major difference between the sides, as Bedwas struggled in the scrum.
Bargoed missed an early chance to take the lead, with Josh Prosser missing a fourth minute penalty.
Bedwas took the lead through a Dion McIntosh penalty in the 15th minute, with Bargoed missing another attempt to equalise from the kicking tee – this time from ex-Bedwas man Steffan Jones, who replaced the injured Prosser.
Shortly before the half-time break, Bargoed finally got points on the board and took the lead when No8 Grant Rogers pounced on a loose ball to claim the try.
Jones’ conversion went wide but Bargoed went into the break with a 5-3 lead.
The second half began in a similar fashion, with defences coming out on top.
But following a series of Bargoed raids deep into Bedwas territory, the hosts were rewarded with a penalty try as Bedwas’ scrum continued to creak.
The penalty try gave Bargoed a 12-3 lead, with Bedwas’ Rhys Hutcherson shown a yellow card.
Bedwas got themselves back into the game when Owain Keane, who had come onto the field in place of Matt Bancroft at scrum-half, spotted a gap in the home defence and sprinted in from 40 metres to score.
McIntosh added the conversion to reduce the arrears to just two points.
But Bedwas’ hopes were short lived. Bargoed centre Darren Humphries crossed for a try in the 69th minute, with Jones securing two extra points from the conversion, to put the hosts 19-10 in front.
Bargoed’s defence held firm to keep Bedwas at bay for the remainder of the game, with scrum-half Huw Rees extending the host’s lead with a late try.
Jones converted to wrap up a 26-10 victory for Bargoed, who move ahead of Bedwas into second place in the league, with two games in hand over leaders Pontypool.
Bargoed return to action on Saturday, January 4, with an away trip to Cardiff Met, while Bedwas make the short trip to Pandy Park to kick off the New Year with a clash with Cross Keys.
Match report provided by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.