Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday 10 September 2011.
Match report by John Meredith, photography by Ian Lovell
Trips to Swansea’s St Helens ground over the past few seasons have rarely seen Bedwas gain victories. However Bedwas, showing a few changes from last week’s defeat by Neath, travelled hoping to upset the form book.
It took less than two minutes for Swansea to take the lead when prop Clatworthy crossed the line despite suspicions of a knock-on in the build up missed by the officials, fly half Davies adding the extras.
With the ball in-hand and a strong wind at their backs, Swansea were causing havoc in the Bedwas backline – the home side posing a real threat. Bedwas were on the back foot and went further behind when Davies slotted a further penalty after Bedwas were adjudged to have joined a ruck from the side.
When Bedwas did make hard yards up the field they made mistakes or were penalised by the persistent blowing of the referee. Clatworthy added a second Swansea try after 20 minutes following good work by his fellow forwards, the conversion was missed.
Bedwas backs continued against the wall when the home side were awarded a contentious penalty try for foul play but the expected yellow card for the Bedwas offender surprisingly never appeared and Bedwas were 22-0 down. They increased their lead with a try from deep by Chance, Davies adding the conversion following a Bedwas scrum.
Bedwas pulled a score back when Tom Edwards made a quick break and crossed in the corner, Powell converted from a difficult angle.
Swansea weren’t finished and following a chip through by Davies winger Walker gathered and crossed for another try, Davies adding the conversion and a penalty from halfway in the dying minutes for a 39-7 lead.
Bedwas knew they had a lot of work to do in the second half and took the game to Swansea. They got back into the game courtesy of a penalty try after a Swansea defender deliberately swatted the ball dead, again questions as why the was no yellow card following a ‘professional foul’ Powell easily added the conversion from in front f the sticks.
Any hopes Bedwas had of a comeback evaporated shortly afterwards when Rees added a try, though the conversion was missed.
Bedwas heads didn’t drop and after a drive up field replacement Simon Grainger crossed for an unconverted try. Several replacements entered the fray for Bedwas before Grainger burrowed over from close range for his second try, Powell adding the conversion.
Bedwas were not finished and a fine run by winger for the day Ross Wardle resulted in a fifth Bedwas try, Powell adding the conversion.
Swansea had the final say of the day adding a penalty after Bedwas were penalised at a ruck for a final score of 47-33.
Bedwas will be pleased at gaining a bonus point for scoring four tries after Swansea’s first half dominance but will be looking to try and prevent teams building up such big leads and giving themselves too much to do.
Next Saturday (September 17) sees Bedwas face another difficult trip west when Llanelli are their opponents at Parc y Scarlets, kick-off 2-30pm
Bedwas Man of the Match:
Tom Edwards- got the ball quickly away at all times.
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