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Bedwas RFC’s hopes of promotion back to the WRU Premiership took a severe jolt as Beddau snatched a bonus-point win, giving Bedwas a mountain to climb to achieve top spot.

At a packed-out Mount Pleasant Park, both sides took time to settle but it was Bedwas with the advantage of the slope who scored first – with Luke Crane diving in through a gap in the home defence to open the scoring. Lloyd Wilkins added the extras.

Both sides were unable to conjure up any further scoring chances until the 36th minute when Beddau finished off a flowing move with an unconverted try by James Davies.

Bedwas had the last say of the half courtesy of a Wilkins penalty goal from the halfway line.

The second-half did not start well for Bedwas, as within two minutes Beddau’s Ollie Wilde kicked a penalty goal after Bedwas were penalised for a ruck offence.

Bedwas’ cause was not helped by a yellow card issued to Jake Lee after eight minutes. The home side taking full advantage of the numerical advantage to score an unconverted try by Ethan Coombes from a rolling maul converted by Wilde.

Just after the halfway mark, Wilkins reduced the deficit with a penalty goal, but Bedwas’ relief was short-lived as a scrum penalty was converted by Wilde one minute later.

Wilkins missed a penalty chance following a high tackle, but Bedwas continued to battle away and were rewarded with a try by Jordan Rogers converted by Wilkins to edge two points ahead.

Urged on by their vociferous support, Beddau upped the ante and took the lead with a try from a scrum by outside centre Tyler Wells.

With the clock running down, Bedwas tried to rescue something from the game. But unfortunately, lost possession led to a loose ball, allowing right winger Evan Roberts to run in for their fourth and bonus point winning try, depriving Bedwas of a losing bonus-point at the same time.

Wilde added the extras as the home crowd erupted with joy, leaving Bedwas to rue what might have been. Final score, 32-20 Beddau.

Bedwas are next in action on Thursday May 1 and travel to Talywain for the penultimate game of the season. Nothing less than a bonus-point win will increase Bedwas’ hopes of winning the title which although looking a tall order, a slim hope remains.