Bedwas 14-25 Merthyr
Saturday February 18, Bedwas
A clinical Merthyr side overpowered Bedwas as they claimed a place in the last eight of the WRU National Cup.
Merthyr took the lead in the first minute as referee Simon Rees awarded a penalty try after Bedwas defenders pulled down a driving maul. Full-back Matthew Jarvis added the simple conversion.
Bedwas fought hard to get back into the game, and two penalties from Richard Powell reduced the deficit to a solitary point. Referee Rees lectured both captains over their respective sides’ discipline.
As Bedwas fought to get into the game, Merthyr back-rower Osian Davies was sin-binned for an off-the-ball offence, and tow minutes later, a close range Bedwas scrum brought reward for No8 Robson Blake.
Blake picked the ball well from the base of the scrum and powered over the line, but Powell’s missed conversion mean the scores remained 11-7.
Merthyr shrugged off being reduced to 14 as Jarvis added two penalties, and the visitors were ahead once again.
Merthyr struck again in the 37th minute, as inside centre Martyn Thomas exploited a gap in the home defence to cross for an unconverted try, and they led 11-18 at the interval.
Bedwas came out for the second half determined to get back into proceedings, but despite creating scoring opportunities, handling errors proved decisive.
A Powell penalty just before the hour mark reduced the deficit, but the home side were unable to turn possession into points.
Merthyr refused to buckle under pressure, and sealed the victory on 71 minutes when prop Nathan Trevett was driven over. Jarvis’ successful conversion gave Bedwas too big a mountain to climb, as the game petered out at 14-25.
The two sides meet once again on Saturday February 25 in the Principality Premiership at midday.
• Match report and photography by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.