Principality Welsh Premiership, Friday, December 26, 2012.
Match report by John Meredith and photography by Ian Lovell
Bedwas weathered hailstorms, driving rain, a muddy pitch and a determined Bridgend side to extend their lead at the top of the Welsh Premiership.
Bridgend dominated the first half in most facets of the game taking the lead after ten minutes via the boot of Lewis Williams after Bedwas were caught offside. The wind at their backs was certainly an advantage especially when one of the many very heavy showers started.
Seven minutes later they extended their lead when a Bedwas clearance kick was charged down and Steve Winn crossed for a try following a kick and chase, Williams added the conversion.
This seemed to kick-start Bedwas into action, as they gained territory in a rare foray into the Bridgend half, before the visitors were adjudged to kill the ball on the floor allowing Ethan Davies a penalty chance he converted.
Williams added a second penalty in injury time to put his side 13 points to three to the good at the break, at this stage a Bedwas victory looked to be a forlorn hope such was the visitors’ dominance.
With the wind at their backs for the second-half, Bedwas looked to reduce the arrears. Davies missed a penalty goal chance after a scrum offence before Williams missed with a penalty at the other end.
The pivotal game changing moment came after 55 minutes. Bedwas earned a scrum on the visitors’ five-metre line. The home Number Eight got the nudge and referee Chris Williams surprisingly signalled penalty try to the astonishment of most onlookers, Ethan Davies added the conversion.
Spurred-on, Bedwas began to dominate possession and territory. From a scrum, replacement scrum-half Tom Rowlands broke through for a try, Davies added the conversion to Bedwas ahead for the first time in the game with 11 minutes left.
Bedwas were not to be denied and all fifteen stuck manfully to their defensive duties as conditions worsened following yet more rain. Ethan Davies’s 76th minute penalty goal ensured Bedwas’ unbeaten league record remained intact and with Llandovery losing at home to Carmarthen Quins, Bedwas start the New Year six points clear at the top of the table.
Next up Bedwas entertain Aberavon RFC on Saturday January 5, 2013, kick off 2.30pm.