Bedwas are out of the WRU National Cup after a 43-12 quarter-final defeat at Cardiff on Saturday, March 23.
Cardiff scored six tries at the Arms Park to end Bedwas’ hopes of silverware this season.
However, Bedwas rested a number of key players with their sights set firmly on league survival.
Cardiff started the game brightly and earned a penalty after a Bedwas offside. Gareth Thompson converted less than five minutes into the game to give the hosts a 3-0 advantage.
Morgan Allen crashed through for the first try of the match two minutes later, with Thompson converting to extend the lead to 10-0.
Thompson’s kicking was successful once again after converting Will Rees-Hole’s 11th minute try, with Cardiff dominating proceedings.
Bedwas tried to get themselves back into the game but Cardiff registered more points through winger Joe Gatt’s 24th minute try.
Thompson’s conversion gave Cardiff a 24-0 lead and one foot in the WRU National Cup semi-finals.
Bedwas held out for the rest of the half, going into the break trailing 24-0.
Bedwas brought on scrum-half Luke Crane in place of Rory Harries at the break, with the substitute scoring the first points of the second half.
Crane dived under two defenders to cross for a try five minutes into the second half.
However, Jacob Chilcott’s conversion attempt drifted wide and Bedwas still had a long way to go to get back in contention.
Cardiff soon restored their lead when hooker Joey Tomlinson crossed for a try which was converted by Thompson.
Despite being 31-5 down, Bedwas continued to fight.
Crane was the first to the ball from the restart and raced through for his second try of the game, which was this time converted by Chilcott.
Former Bedwas front-rower Ian Jenkins, who came off the bench for Cardiff earlier in the second half, scored two tries in the space of five minutes to kill of any chances Bedwas may have had.
Cardiff substitute Steffan Jones missed the first conversion but made no mistake on his second, giving the hosts a 43-12 lead after 66 minutes.
Two minutes later, two-try substitute Jenkins was shown a yellow card for a late tackle and sent to the sin bin.
Despite being down to 14 players, Cardiff held out to book their place in the semi-finals.
Bedwas now turn their attentions back to the Principality Premiership relegation battle, with RGC 1404 visiting the Bridgefield on Saturday, March 30.
Report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell.