Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday, September 8, 2012.
Match report by John Meredith and photography by Ian Lovell
In their first away match of the new season Bedwas made the short trip to Sardis Road, Pontypridd, home of the current Welsh Premiership title.
Bedwas had an early chance to score but covering defenders just beat the advancing Budina. Ponty responded with a length of the field move that saw Dicomidis held up over the try line. From the resulting five-metre scrum, the ball was eventually moved out wide and former Bedwas prop was on hand to cross the try line. Flanagan missed the conversion.
A second home try wasn’t long in coming. Good play between backs and forwards saw Lewis Williams cross, Flanagan converted.
Bedwas hit back following a scrum from 30 metres in centre field. Fast hands moved the ball out wide and Budina left the cover behind for a try out wide. Powell missed the conversion.
The home side stretched their lead after 30 minutes through a Flanagan penalty after Bedwas were penalised at a ruck.
Bedwas were not to be out done. Dixons deft chip kick was picked up by Feehan and he crossed for a try under the sticks, Powell converted and then added a penalty to tie up the scores.
With five minutes to half-time Ponty scored two quick tries firstly by full back Walsh, converted by Flanagan and then an unconverted try by Jake Thomas from a scrum the home eight forcing Bedwas backwards. Flanagan converted and the home side led 29-15 at the interval.
Bedwas introduced Kristian Gay into the front row for the second half in place of Pettit.
Stuart Thomas came close to a try before a Bedwas error saw Lewis Williams cross for his sides fifth try, Flanagan again converting.
Ponty exerted their dominance, their back row working hard and Bedwas making unforced errors. Their sixth try of the day arrived soon after when replacement scrum half Carl Thomas crossed, Flanagan again converting. Bedwas struggled to contain their hosts out wide and Owen Williams crossed for his sides seventh try, unconverted by Flanagan.
Rory Budina scored his second try of the afternoon after good by Ross Wardle, replacement Ethan Davies adding the conversion for his first points in Bedwas colours.
The home side were not finished, replacement prop Pat Palmer crossed the whitewash to bring up the 50 points, Thomas converting.
There was still time for replacement scrum half Rory Wood to score an opportunist try for Bedwas and earn a bonus point for four tries.
Bedwas will rue missing try scoring opportunities and unforced errors which proved ultimately costly but played their part in an exciting game.
Bedwas Man of the Match: Matthew John