Ebbw Vale 33-17 Bedwas
Saturday, December 23, Eugene Cross Park
Bedwas’ first half of the season drew to a close with a loss away to Ebbw Vale, confirming a third-place finish in the Principality Welsh Premiership’s East Conference.
With the game regarded a ‘dead rubber’ by many, head coach Ian Gardner opted to experiment with his team selection.
Any half-hearted attitudes were forgotten shortly after kick-off however, as a frantic pace was set early, with both sets of forwards engaging in an early brutal battle of physicality.
Ebbw Vale centre Dai Langdon secured the first points of the day as he reacted quickest to Dorian Jones’ pinpoint grubber kick to cross for the game’s opening try.
Ebbw dominated possession at this stage and stifled anything Bedwas attempted to muster. It was no surprise when full back Dan Haymond crossed for the home side’s second try, with fly-half Jones adding a second conversion.
Despite losing lock forward Ben Thompson to injury after 18 minutes, Bedwas’ pack gained a period of ascendancy that saw hooker Dale Rogers driven over for a try, with Steffan Jones adding the extras.
The sides exchanged penalties either side of Bedwas suffering another injury blow as Oli Halford limped off to be replaced by Adam Williams.
It didn’t take the replacement long to make his mark as a loose ball in midfield was hacked through and centre Williams gathered to dive in for a try. Steffan Jones’ successful conversion reduced the arrears to three points.
The visitors’ joy was short-lived however, as Dorian Jones came up with another deft kick for Langdon to cross for his second try. Jones added the conversion on the half time whistle, putting his side ten points clear at the break.
Bedwas suffered another injury early in the second period as they lost Nicky Griffiths to injury with Tom Rowlands taking over at scrum half. Ebbw Vale’s defence continued to counter everything Bedwas could throw at them, although the scrummaging of the Bedwas pack was holding its own with eighteen-year-old loose head Tom Devine performing well.
Bedwas replaced their entire front row after 52 minutes, also adding fresh legs in the back row as Andrew Waite took over from McGuigan, in an attempt to regain a foothold in the game.
Any efforts were dashed as Dorian Jones notched two penalties to seemingly put the game out of Bedwas’ reach, with the visitors failing to respond following a period of pressure in the opposition’s twenty-two.
Going into the final ten minutes, Bedwas continued to throw everything at their opponents. Their efforts were to no avail however, with the home side repelling the sustained attacks.
Drama followed as Ebbw Vale’s Rhys Francis, Dorian Jones and Lance Randall all found themselves in the sin bin. The 12 Steelmen who remained on the field were in no mood to concede a single point however, proceeding to close out the game.
Whilst the result is disappointing for the Bedwas faithful, it should not detract from a splendid performance by opposition outside half Dorian Jones who had an excellent afternoon at the office.
Bedwas travel to Sardis Road to take on Pontypridd on Saturday 30th December as the East and West Conferences combine for the league’s second phase.
• Match report by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.