Bedwas 13-18 Pontypridd
Bedwas, Saturday September 3, 2016
Pontypridd edged a tight Principality Premiership contest played in near monsoon conditions as they took the chances they created which, in contrast, Bedwas did not.
The game took some time to come to life, but a break by Ponty’s Ceri Sweeney put winger Lewis Williams in through a huge gap in the Bedwas defence to open the scoring. Sweeney’s conversion attempt flew wide.
Bedwas hit back straight from the restart after the visitors were adjudged offside in front of their posts. Richard Powell calmly slotted the ball through the uprights to bring the score back to 3-5.
Both sides tried to play flowing rugby, but the conditions made life tricky, and all either side could muster was a further penalty apiece.
Bedwas back-rower James Benjamin made a great break, but his pass to the supporting player failed to find hands, and what looked like an odds-on try-scoring opportunity was lost.
The visitors extended their lead further following a lineout deep in the Bedwas half. The ball found its way to full-back Aled Summerhill, who dashed in for a try, but Sweeney again missed the conversion.
Bedwas’ task became harder just six minutes before the interval, as lock-forward Geraint Edmunds found himself sin-binned for tripping an opponent.
From the ensuing penalty, Pontypridd pushed for the line and their captain Dafydd Lockyer came close to scoring before being dragged into touch.
Bedwas quickly responded in the best possible way. The ball was moved across the line for centre Connor Edwards to crash over in the right hand corner. Powell expertly kicked the conversion with the last kick of the half to ensure the scores were tied at 13-13.
At the start of the second half, the unrelenting rain made conditions difficult, and both sides struggled to maintain any cohesion as possession was turned over on frequent occasions.
Ponty finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark as Sweeney’s pinpoint kick across field was gratefully gathered by Alex Webber, who crossed for a try. Sweeney once again missed the conversion.
Bedwas introduced a host of replacements to try and salvage the game, but the Pontypridd defence stood up to defy them, and late in the game Bedwas captain Richard Powell was sin-binned for back chat.
Fortunately for Bedwas, Sweeney’s penalty kick – which would have seen his side’s lead grow to more than eight points and thus deprive Bedwas a losing bonus point – went wide.
Deep into stoppage time Bedwas camped on the Pontypridd try line as the visitors adopted a siege mentality to repel everything Bedwas threw at them.
The visiting defence conceded three penalties in quick succession close to the try line, and it was only on the third penalty the referee chose to sin-bin a Pontypridd player, but nevertheless Bedwas couldn’t break through and Ponty held on to the delight of their travelling support.
Bedwas will look to regroup ahead of the challenge next week as they travel to Rodney Parade to face Newport on Sunday September 11, kick off 2.30pm.
• Match report and photography by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.