Bedwas beat Ystrad Rhondda to return to winning ways

Craig Hudd carries the ball deep into Ystrad Rhondda territory.

Bedwas RFC made a return to winning ways after tries from Aled Evans and Owain Keane sealed a 21-16 victory over Ystrad Rhondda on Saturday, March 7.

The WRU National Championship clash was Bedwas’ first game back at their Bridgefield ground since it was flooded during Storm Dennis.

Bedwas defeated in first game since Storm Dennis flooding

Ystrad Rhondda kept it close thanks to a late try from Jarrad Llewellyn but could only take a losing bonus-point from the match.

The home side broke the deadlock early when Keane hacked through a loose ball towards the line, winning the foot race with the defence to score the first try of the afternoon, with James Hallett adding the extras.

Hallett extended the gap with a penalty to give Bedwas a cushion that was soon erased by fullback Corey Shepherd, who added three points of his own to put Ystrad Rhondda on the board.

Bedwas’ Lewis Davies attacks the Ystrad Rhondda defence

A second Hallet penalty before the break gave Bedwas a ten-point gap at the interval, with both defences standing strong amidst several breakdown errors.

A missed penalty from Shepherd near the halfway line and a high tackle from Llewellyn proved costly after the restart, as the flanker was sent to the sin-bin, reducing the visitors to 14 men.

Two Ystrad penalties, both from the boot of Shepherd, cut the deficit to just four points but another three points from Hallett and a strong-forwards push allowed Evans to score and keep Bedwas at arms-length.