Bedwas beat Pontypool 46-10 on Wednesday February 4 to book a second round home tie against Cardiff Met in the SWALEC Cup on February 21.
The home side got off to a great start with the forwards working the ball and hooker Alun Rees being driven over for a try with six minutes gone. Richard Powell was wide with his conversion.
Whilst this may have settled the nerves, neither side produced further openings as too often both dropped the ball or gave away penalties.
Shortly before half-time Richard Powell and Pooler’s Tom Hancock traded successful penalty kicks and right on the whistle Bedwas veteran number eight Deri Mattravers crashed through for a try converted by Powell for a 15 point to 3 lead.
Bedwas came out for the second-half determined to play at a quicker pace. Barely two minutes into the half Arron Pinches ran a great angle to score by the right hand upright, Powell easily adding the extras.
Pontypool refused to buckle and, with Bedwas a man down after to lock Josh Walker was sin-binned for a late tackle, got back into the game with a try by right wing Chris Laing. Tom Hancock added the conversion.
Their joy was somewhat short lived as Rory Budina finished off a sweeping Bedwas move in the right hand corner for an unconverted try.
Budina added a second try under the sticks after he intercepted to sprint 40 metres to the line.Powell converted.
Further unconverted tries from replacement Luke Crane and back rower James Sawyer put gloss on the victory as Bedwas finally managed to turn pressure into points.
Bedwas have no time to relax and travel to Carmarthen Quins tomorrow, February 7 for what is sure to be a tough fixture in the Principality Premiership.