Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday October 8 2011.
Match report by Graham Carter, photography by Ian Lovell
A brace of tries from evergreen Number 8 Deri Mattravers and one from Ross Wardle saw Bedwas gain their first home win of the season in a see-saw game where the lead changed several times.
With the wind at their backs Bedwas started brightly but Quins scored first courtesy of Andrew Banfield’s try, Daniel Evans adding the conversion. Bedwas responded with two Richard Powell penalties after 13 and 28 minutes. Ross Wardle broke through to score under the sticks after 35 minutes, Powell converted to increase the home sides lead. Quins’ Evans had the final say of the half when he added a penalty after 39 minutes to leave the half time score 13-13.
Whatever was said in the home dressing room during the interval seemed to have had the desired effect when Mattravers crossed within two minutes of the restart, Powell adding the extras.
However, the lead lasted barely two minutes however as visiting scrum half Ricky Richards ghosted through the home defence for a try, converted by Evans.
Between forty eight and sixty one minutes both sides traded two penalties apiece with both sides jostling to find a killer pass to set up a try. The second Bedwas penalty resulting in a yellow card for a Carmarthen replacement forward.
Bedwas finally broke the deadlock after 73 minutes when veteran number 8 Deri Mattravers buried over for a try from close range, after a Bedwas scrum was able to exert its numerical advantage, Powell adding the extras from wide out. The visitors tried to get back into the game but Bedwas held on for a hard fought victory.
Next Saturday, October 15, Bedwas entertain Llandovery, kick-off 2.30pm.
Bedwas Man of the Match: Deri Mattravers (Bedwas). He may be one of the eldest players in the Premiership but is so often the catalyst of what Bedwas do.