For the second successive match Bedwas were left to ponder missed opportunities that allowed Ebbw Vale back into the game to take the spoils in a hard fought battle in the Principality Premiership.
In front of the biggest crowd at the Bridgefield this season a strong second half earned Ebbw Vale the 11-12 victory, as Bedwas failed to put enough points on the board in a dominant first half.
With a breeze at their backs Bedwas could have been first on the board, but Powell’s long range kick after just four minutes was just wide. Four minutes later he made amends and put his side ahead.
Both sets of forwards battled hard but couldn’t force a breakthrough. Iain Smerdon had a chance to bring Ebbw level but his penalty chance was missed before Powell added his second of the game to extend the lead.
Bedwas continued to put the visitors under pressure but could not make the breakthrough as Ebbw defended for their lives. Just before the interval Powell missed another attempted long range penalty, a miss the home side were to rue.
Ebbw Vale came out for the second half in determined mood and their forwards began to dominate.
With the visitors scrum now on top Bedwas transgressed and the referee awarded a penalty try. Smerdon added the conversion.
Suddenly the hordes of Ebbw supporters awoke too and willed on by their vociferous supporter’s, wing Tom James crossed for their second try but Smerdon failed to convert.
Bedwas made a stack of substitutions and put the visitors under pressure.
Having spurned a close range penalty in favour of a scrum Bedwas were rewarded with a fine try from Arron Pinches who ran through from a great angle.
Powell missed the conversion but with fifteen minutes left on the clock the game was finely balanced.
Both sides looked for that game clinching score but neither were successful and Ebbw Vale hung on for the win their second half performance deserved with Bedwas having to settle for a losing bonus point.
Bedwas lie seventh in the table ahead of their visit to Neath tomorrow, January 3. Kick off at The Gnoll is at 2.30pm.