Merthyr RFC 19 – 37 Bedwas RFC
Saturday September 17, Wern Sports Park
Three first half tries laid the foundations for a superb Bedwas win on a warm, sunny afternoon at Merthyr RFC’s 3G pitch at the Wern Sports Park.
Both sides started at an express pace, but it only took five minutes for Bedwas to take the lead as the ball was quickly moved for Pat Lewis to dart in and score by the corner flag. Richard Powell expertly converted to give Bedwas a lead they never relinquished.
Merthyr tried to get back into the game immediately, but handling errors cost them chances. Bedwas similarly made mistakes, and try scoring opportunities were scarce.
Another Powell penalty 21 minutes in extended the Bedwas lead, but Merthyr clawed a try back eight minutes later, after a patient build up through several forward drives saw the ball reach winger Kyle Evans to cross, but Dean Gunter’s conversion attempt went wide.
Immediately Bedwas hit back. Pat Lewis intercepted a stray Merthyr pass and sprinted down the line to cross for the visitors’ second of the afternoon, before prop-forward Dan Preece found space on the left to cross unopposed. Powell was accurate twice in a row, and at half time Bedwas led 24 points to five.
An early Powell penalty extended the Blues’ lead in the second half, before Bedwas made several changes. Immediately Merthyr hit back with back-rower Osian Davies crossing for a try which was converted by Gunter.
A mistake in the Bedwas midfield was snaffled up by Arron Pinches, who gratefully took the opportunity to cross. While Gunter’s conversion narrowed the gap to eight points, Bedwas were not to be denied for long. A Richard Powell penalty put the deficit back to 11 points to settle the nerves of the Bedwas fans and coaches.
Following a long stoppage while Bedwas back-row James Benjamin was stretchered off injured, his fellow forward pack worked a great field position for full-back Connor Edwards to score in the corner and secure the bonus point.
Powell again was accurate with his conversion to round off a fantastic effort by everyone in a Bedwas shirt.
Victory takes Bedwas to fourth in Principality Premiership, who look to continue building momentum on Saturday September 24 with the visit of Neath to the Bridgefield Stadium. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.