Bedwas continued their scintillating early season form at Merthyr, claiming a third bonus-point victory earned through tenacity and a never-say-die spirit to sit atop the Principality Premiership East division.
The hosts started quickest at The Wern, scoring the first try after just four minutes. Centre Terry Gee exploited a large gap in the Bedwas defence and full-back Matthew Jarvis added the extras from the tee.
Bedwas fly-half Steffan Jones notched a penalty five minutes later, but Justin James’ sniping try extended the Ironmen’s lead to 11 points.
Merthyr captain, Craig Locke, was a little fortunate not to see at least a yellow card for a high tackle on scrum-half Luke Crane, but Bedwas efforts were rewarded with half-time approaching.
On the front foot, a lovely kick towards the Merthyr try-line saw a Bedwas attacker taken out without the ball by hooker Richard Wilkes, and the referee immediately awarded a penalty try to the visitors. Wilkes received a yellow card for his sins.
The Ironmen came under pressure at scrum time, and conceded a penalty which Jones slotted to bring Bedwas within a point at the break.
Just two minutes into the second half, and the away side took the lead. Good work by the Bedwas forwards saw quick ball fed to the back line and spread wide for winger George Gasson to cross. Jones’ conversion made the score 14-20.
The second half turned into a match of attacking intent and questionable defending, as first Merthyr prop Joe Rees crossed for an unconverted try before Steffan Jones hit back, getting onto the end of his own kick through to restore his side’s lead. After Jones converted his own score, Bedwas began to believe the win was possible.
However, Merthyr had other ideas, and No.8 Tom Daley crossed to bring the hosts to within three points at 24-27.
Brynley Toms, on as a replacement in the Bedwas front row, was sin-binned just before the hour mark, but the 14 men dug deep to prevent their opponents from scoring again.
Bedwas claimed the bonus point with four minutes remaining through Andrew Waite.
The second-rower picked off a stray pass from Richard Powell – who controversially moved from Bedwas to Merthyr in acrimonious circumstances over the summer -and made big yards into the home defence. The ball was evenutally moved wide to Ollie Halford on the right wing who dived over for the fourth try.
Jones put the Bedwas ten points ahead, but they weren’t finished, as Jones marked another fine performance in Bedwas colours with a massive 55-metre penalty to secured a third bonus-point win from three.
• Match report and photography by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.