Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday 20 December 2013.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas paid the price for their lack of control as a strong second half showing by Newport saw them take the spoils and deny Bedwas a win.
Newport dominated first half possession but Bedwas failed to capitalise on a couple of penalty chances with Richard Powell uncharacteristically missing kickable opportunities. In contrast Newport full back Geraint O’Driscoll took both opportunities offered to put his side six points to nil ahead.
Bedwas found a way back on the half hour when Powell crashed through for a try under the sticks he converted himself. Bedwas looked to have woken up but then squandered a golden opportunity to score in the corner, inaccurate passing saw the chance lost. However, Powell found his range on the half time whistle to put Bedwas 10-6 up.
Alex Jeffries’ unconverted try and a brace of O’Driscoll penalties put Newport ahead before the visitors’ Adam Brown was sin binned for an off the ball offence. Bedwas couldn’t make the numerical advantage count as Newport dug deep to protect their line.
Bedwas made a raft of changes around the hour mark but couldn’t grind out a score as good pressure from the Newport side prevented any momentum and Newport held out for their first win in 6 attempts against Bedwas for whom a losing bonus point was at least some reward for their efforts.