Cardiff 23 – 28 Bedwas
Saturday January 7, Cardiff Arms Park
Bedwas entered the last game before the Principality Premiership splits in two assured of their place in the top eight; not so for their hosts, who knew only a win and an Ebbw Vale defeat to Cross Keys would be enough.
Bedwas did more than enough to win, and as it turned out, the bonus-point victory saw them finish in second place after Pontypridd and Merthyr both lost.
The game started at a fast pace and Cardiff took an early lead through a Gareth Thompson penalty. Cardiff dominated possession but wrong options and handling errors saw them gain no further points.
Once Bedwas found their rhythm, they got over the whitewash. A great break by Adam Williams saw him run through a gap from 40 yards out to cross for a try. James Dixon added the extras.
Cardiff notched their first try as American No8 Cam Dolan crossed following sustained pressure. Thompson converted to put his side back ahead but Bedwas re-focused and took the game to their hosts.
It was all Bedwas for a while as another Williams break saw him hauled down five-metres from the try-line, and on the other flank Matthew John was denied by a last-gasp tackle. James Dixon’s accurate grubber-kick looked to have put in Patrick Lewis, but the ball bounced over the winger’s head and into touch.
The second Bedwas try came on the stroke of half-time as a Cardiff scrum was shunted backwards at high speed and Dragons-bound No8 Robson Blake was last up off the whitewash to claim the try. Dixon again converted.
There was still time for a last-kick-of-the-half penalty by Thompson and the interval arrived with Bedwas holding a one-point advantage.
Bedwas increased their lead on 49 minutes after winning a lineout. Geraint Edmunds glided over through a static defence for a third try, and Dixon added the extras.
Just before the hour and Blake’s second try of the afternoon – again scored through excellent work by his forwards – earned Bedwas a four-try bonus point.
Judging the game to be won, Bedwas made wholesale changes.
Cardiff sensed an opportunity and two late unconverted Dolan tries made it an uncomfortable last few minutes for Bedwas, but they held out to take the spoils.
The fixtures for the second part of the Premiership season have yet to be announced, so in the meantime Bedwas will continue to take part in the Fosters Challenge Cup at Cross Keys on Wednesday January 11 and at Newport on Wednesday January 18.
• Match report and photography by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.