Newport 28-25 Bedwas
Friday, November 3, Rodney Parade
Bedwas travelled to Rodney Parade looking to rediscover their Premiership-leading swagger after being routed by Pontypridd in the previous round but endured another frustrating night as Newport claimed victory with an injury-time penalty.
The hosts started brightly as scrum-half Owen Davies found space through the Bedwas line to dot down for a converted try after just two minutes.
Bedwas bit back with Steffan Jones setting up centre Mike Callow to score. The conversion ricocheted over via the post, and it was 7-7.
Soon after, another pair of tries were traded. Newport’s Hayden Palmer was the grateful recipient of a magnificent cross-field kick from fly-half Matt O’Brien, while Geraint Edmunds made the most of Bedwas’ early forward power. A couple of penalties were exchanged and at half-time only a missed Newport conversion separated the sides at 15-17.
The Bedwas faithful were in buoyant mood early into the second-half as flanker George Lee touched down in the far corner.
Jones missed a tricky conversion, and Newport were able to find space in the line again, as Chay Smith scored for the Black and Ambers to tie the scores at 22-22.
The Bedwas scrum seemed to lose momentum as 60th minute substitutions were made and the match degraded into a rather turgid affair. Newport regained the lead with a penalty, until Bedwas seemed to have done enough to salvage a draw as Steffan Jones nailed a 79th minute goal.
However, it was another frustrating affair as Newport were awarded an injury time penalty at the breakdown and O’Brien gave his team the victory.
• Match report by Will Rees of Bedwas RFC.