Bedwas RFC clung on for a bonus point in a 33-26 loss to Neath in the WRU National Championship, as a Dale Rogers double was not enough to see them past the Welsh all-blacks.

The game was played at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach due to the flooding at Bedwas’ Bridgefield ground caused by Storm Dennis.

A closely fought contest produced eight tries over 80 minutes, with James Richards and George Collins scoring alongside Rogers in the narrow defeat.

Neath’s James Roberts crossed twice, while Elis Horgan and Luke Griffiths added scores of their own as the boot of the latter proved hugely influential in the final scoreline.

The visitors struck first, as a defensive mix-up proved costly with the speed of Roberts too much to handle as he crossed the line out wide but Griffiths could not convert from the tee to extend the lead.

An immediate reply from the home side gave Richards his first try of the game, with Dion McIntosh slipping his kick between the posts for a slight edge on the scoreboard.

A penalty from Griffiths restored the Blacks’ advantage, which was quickly extended as the scrum-half Horgan slipped between a gap to push the difference to nine with a missed conversion.

Rogers crossed for the home side just before the break with McIntosh ensuring the visitors only went in at the half a point ahead.

The second period brought more of the same for Neath, as Griffiths slotted home a penalty and added a try of his own to restore their nine-point lead.

Two tries over a span of 12 minutes courtesy of Rogers and Collins pushed Bedwas three points ahead with an added thanks from the boot of McIntosh, but poor discipline would prove costly for Bedwas.

Jonathan Armitage was sent to the sin-bin for ‘killing the ball’ and Griffiths tied the scores with a penalty, only for Roberts to snatch his second try of the game from the restart that was well-converted.

The result keeps Bedwas in third place in the table as they prepare to face Trebanos on Saturday, February 29.

Match report provided by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.

• To make a donation towards repairs to Bedwas RFC’s Bridgefield ground and clubhouse, visit obv.sr/besd