Principality Welsh Premiership, Friday 7 February 2014.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Three first-half tries laid the foundations for a hard-fought Bedwas win on a heavy Bridge Field pitch.
Llandovery were first on the board via a James Garland penalty after four minutes. Bedwas struck back after nine minutes with the ball moved across the line for prop Ian George to cross for his first Bedwas try. Powell converted.
Bedwas lost hooker Richard Wilkes to injury, replacement Rhys Hutcherson himself returning from an injury lay off, and two minutes later Llandovery centre Craig Woodall was on the end of a well worked move for a try converted by Garland.
Both sides battled hard to gain supremacy before Rory Budina turned on the after burners and ran in from deep in the Llandovery half, Powell’s conversion went wide. Two minutes later play was held up by a serious looking leg injury to home lock Kyle Maiden.
Bedwas were not to be denied, with the last move of injury time Budina scored his second try after a mix up in the home defence, Powell added the conversion.
Llandovery fought hard to get back into the game but could not turn pressure into points. Both sides made changes as the intensity of the game and the heavy pitch took its toll. For all their hard work Llandovery’s only reward was a further Garland penalty after 55 minutes.
The two sides cancelled each other out for the rest of the game as they looked for a match clinching score. Bedwas were delighted and relieved to claim the victory which sees them climb to 6th place in the Welsh Premiership.
Next Saturday (15 February) Bedwas entertain Cross Keys in Round 2 of the Swalec Cup, kick off 2.30pm)