Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday 20 December 2014
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Fourteen points from the boot of Dean Gunter proved to be the difference as Cardiff edged home to claim a win in a game that Bedwas could, and probably should, have won.
Gunter kicked his first penalty after only two minutes after Bedwas were penalised at a ruck and extended his sides lead with a second penalty goal after 13 minutes. Jack Maynard had a chance to cut that lead after 19 minutes but miscued his opportunity.
A great break from Arron Pinches was ended metres short of the line but Bedwas maintained the pressure with Dan Crimmins forcing his way through the defence to score a good try, Maynard’s conversion putting Bedwas ahead.
Two minutes later a fine jinking run by Maynard was rewarded with a try under the sticks, Maynard adding the conversion himself.
It all went wrong for Bedwas shortly before half time. First Crimmins found himself sin binned and from the resulting penalty Gunter reduced the arrears. Then with one minute to go to the break a Cardiff clearing kick was not claimed by the Bedwas defence and left winger pounced to score a try. Gunter kept up his kicking record to put his side 16-14 ahead.
Jack Maynard and Gunter exchanged penalty goals early in the second half as both sides looked for an opening but try scoring chances were rare. Just after the hour mark Maynard slotted his second penalty of the afternoon to give his side a slender advantage. It didn’t last long as replacement James Whittingham took over from where Gunter left off and restored his side’s advantage four minutes later.
With two minutes remaining Bedwas replacement Richard Powell had a chance to steal the win for his side but unfortunately his kick drifted just wide of the posts. With time running out the home side made one last attack and came very close to scoring a try that would have seen Bedwas’s losing bonus point disappear. Good defence at least maintained that bonus point which was the least Bedwas deserved for their efforts.
Next Saturday, December 27, 2.30pm kick-off, Bedwas welcome second placed Ebbw Vale to the Bridgefield for what is certain to be a tough game against our old friends from North Gwent.