Bedwas beat Llanelli for the first time ever at Parc-y-Scarlets in an eleven try thriller, emerging 37-42 victors in the Principality Premiership on January 17.
Llanelli’s fly half Josh Lewis opened the scoring after three minutes with a long-range penalty after Bedwas were penalised at a ruck.
He missed a similar penalty shortly afterwards when Bedwas were penalised for a another offence.
Bedwas settled down and a great break led by Harley Thomson from deep in his own half saw Arron Pinches cross for a try. Powell missed the conversion.
Powell added a penalty after 15 minutes to increase the Bedwas lead before home winger Frazier Climo burst through a gap for a try, converted by Lewis to put his side back in front.
Powell added a second penalty for Bedwas before the home side scored their second try, following a deft kick and chase by scrum half Justin James, who won the foot race to the line.
Lewis added the conversion.
Bedwas rose to the challenge and two tries in four minutes by Harley Thomson and Ashton Hewitt put Bedwas back in the lead.
Lewis added his second penalty of the afternoon on the stroke of half time to close the gap to three points.
Bedwas were quickly out of the blocks in the second half and Rory Budina was on the end of a flowing move to score in the corner,.Powell converted the touchline kick.
Bedwas continued to attack and diminutive scrum-half Luke Crane ducked and weaved through several tackles before dotting down under the sticks. Powell easily added the conversion.
Llanelli were not finished and outside half Josh Lewis scored a lovely try he created himself by throwing a huge dummy and speeding through the resulting gap, he added the conversion himself.
Bedwas made a raft of changes around the hour mark which paid dividends when their veteran number eight charged through for a try after 67 minutes to settle Bedwas’ nerves.
Llanelli were on the ropes but mounted a big effort to salvage something from the game and threw caution to the wind expertly keeping the ball alive.
They were rewarded from two unconverted tries from replacements Tom Phillips and Adam Williams to set up a nerve-jangling last five minutes.
Llanelli continued to attack and a match clinching try looked a possibility but Bedwas dug in and defended for their lives to emerge deserved winners.
On Saturday January 24 Bedwas host local rivals Cross Keys, who are equal on points, sitting one place ahead of Bedwas in the table with a game in hand. Kick off at the Bridge Field is at 2.30pm.
• Match report and picture by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC