Bedwas 29-7 Newport
Saturday, September 2, The Bridge Field
Bedwas maintained their 100% start to the new Principality Premiership East season with a hard-fought bonus-point win over neighbours Newport on a warm summer afternoon.
Any latecomers would have missed the opening score, as a catch and drive from a lineout saw hooker Ellis Shipp claim a first minute try. Steffan Jones’ conversion attempt drifted wide.
Newport attempted to get back into the game, but the normally reliable Matt O’Brien missed two kickable penalties before Jones furthered the home side’s lead.
As the first half progressed, the Black and Ambers laid siege on the Bedwas line but got no change out of a resolute defence, who were in no mood to yield points.
Another Jones penalty attempt half way through the first period hit the upright and was cleared to touch, before Newport’s pressure bought them a try after a huge forward effort. Hooker Will Evans was adjudged as scorer under a pile of bodies, and O’Brien this time added the extras.
Newport joy was short-lived as from the restart Bedwas retook the lead. No.8 Robson Blake charged from thirty metres, leaving a trail of bodies behind him as he crashed through. Jones’ simple conversion from in front of the posts put Bedwas 15-7 ahead.
More worryingly for Bedwas will have been the loss of Aaron Bramwell and Morgan Allen with injury before the break.
The second half started with both sides looking for points; Bedwas to make the game safe and Newport to salvage something but both defences dug deep.
The home side increased their lead after 49 minutes as a deft Jones grubber-kick was pounced upon by the quick thinking Mathew John for his sides’ third try, and Bedwas earned the bonus point just after the hour mark.
Another exquisite Jones grubber-kick was pounced on by Adam Williams, and the subsequent conversion quelled any thoughts of a Newport comeback as Bedwas made it two wins in two at 29-7.
• Match report and photography by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.