Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday 14 September 2013.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Two tries in the last eight minutes denied Bedwas their first ever league win at Sardis Road, as the home side came from behind to cruelly deny Bedwas a bonus point.
The match started with Bedwas on the front foot and the Bedwas pack dominated their hosts. A series of Bedwas scrums eventually saw referee Rhys Thomas award Bedwas a penalty try and despatch Pontypridd’s former Bedwas prop Kieron Jenkins to the sin bin. Powell converted the try.
Bedwas continued to attack but Ponty held firm before gaining possession deep in their own 22 and three passes put Alex Webber away to sprint 90 metres to score in the corner. Dai Flanagan added the extras.
Bedwas hit back almost immediately. Will Harries broke down the right flank brushing off several would-be tacklers and putting Scott Williams in for a try which Powell converted. Harries crossed for an unconverted try of his own six minutes later.
Ponty hit back and fast running earnt Webber his second try out wide before a driving maul from a lineout saw home captain Chris Dicomidis driven over for a try converted by Flanagan.
Seconds before half time Powell slotted a long range drop goal to put Bedwas 22 points to 19 ahead.
Bedwas started the second half where they’d left off the first, Powell adding a penalty to stretch the visitors lead to six points before Webber scored his third of the afternoon. Flanagan’s unsuccessful conversion meant a solitary point separated the teams.
Powell and Flanagan both added two further penalties apiece as both sides tried to find a winning score.
With seven minutes left Ponty took the lead for the first time, replacement back rower Rhys Shellard powered through for a try before full back Geraint Walsh broke Bedwas hearts with a try converted by Flanagan to deny Bedwas a losing bonus point their efforts deserved.
Next Saturday (September 21) Bedwas entertain Cardiff at the Bridge Field, kick off 2.30pm.