Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday April 7 2012.
Match report by John Meredith and photography by Ian Lovell
Bedwas’s poor run of results continued with this defeat by Gwent rivals Pontypool in a feisty battle at the Bridge Field. This was almost a must win game for Bedwas to arrest their losing run of only one win in 2012.
The first half saw two yellow cards with one for each side. Pontypool’s Hancock missed two seemingly kick-able penalties and the sole try of the half out wide by Pooler’s Dan Robinson. Bedwas offered very little, though play was held up for an extended period following a dislocated ankle injury to home lock Gareth Williams.
Whatever was said in the dressing room at half time saw Bedwas start with greater urgency and Powell had the opportunity to pull back three points but his penalty went wide.
Pooler weren’t to be denied for long. Firstly Robinson crossed for his second try following a kick and chase, O’Driscoll adding the conversion. A few minutes later a neat cross field kick was gathered by wing Williams for a try improved on again by O’Driscoll. Bedwas couldn’t get any momentum and a long range O’Driscoll penalty sealed the game for Pontypool.
Bedwas finally got on the board through evergreen Deri Mattravers, Powell adding the conversion.
Bedwas continued to attack and Stuart Thomas crossed for a try following a Bedwas scrum and the ball moved along the back line.
Pooler completed the scoring with a penalty by O’Driscoll after Bedwas were adjudged offside in front of the posts. There was still time for further drama as the home side’s Darren Ryan saw red for an off the ball incident and shortly afterwards Dan Robinson saw a straight red for a tip tackle.
