Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday March 31 2012.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell
Bedwas visited Carmarthen Quins in their final away match of the season, a ground where Bedwas victories are as rare as hen’s teeth.
Bedwas got off to a poor start. The defence failed to cope with a bouncing ball and fullback Dan Evans danced past several defenders to put centre Alex Pickersgill in for a try with barely a minute on the clock. Aled Thomas missed the conversion.
Bedwas responded with some aggressive forward momentum and gained a penalty after eight minutes, confidently slotted by Powell. Both sides fought for supremacy on a rock hard pitch before the home sides Aled Thomas added a penalty after Bedwas were penalised at a ruck.
The visitors’ defensive frailties were in evidence again after half an hour of play when Jason Harries crossed for a try; again Thomas was unsuccessful with his conversion kick.
A quickly taken tap penalty in the home sides 25 metre area saw Darren Humphries burst through for try, Powell added the conversion and Bedwas were back in the hunt again only for more missed tackles deep into injury time allowing Aled Thomas in for his sides third try, again unconverted.
The second half began with home side extending their lead through an Aled Thomas penalty goal. Powell missed a chance to pull three points back when his penalty kick was narrowly wide after 49 minutes but was successful five minutes later.
Aled Thomas added his sides fourth and bonus point winning try after 64 minutes and this time was successful with his conversion to put his side 28-13 ahead. Five minutes later Pickersgill added his second try, Thomas converted and the game was effectively won.
Bedwas made a host of changes to try and salvage something from the game. The Carmarthen defence was put under pressure and with a minute left Richard Wilkes was sin binned for playing the ball on the floor. Bedwas took advantage and Sargent crossed for a try, Powell added the conversion but it was too little too late.
Next Saturday Bedwas entertain Gwent rivals Pontypool, kick off 2.30pm in what is certain to be a bruising encounter.
