Bedwas RFC 54 Glamorgan Wanderers 5
WRU Specsavers Championship, Saturday 14th December 2019.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas gave their supporters an early Christmas present with a sparkling eight try demolition of the Wanderers producing one of their best performances of the season.
Heavy rain early on Saturday morning did not affect the pitch, the strong breeze was certainly chilly but also aided preparation of the pitch as it helped to negate the effects of the rain.
Wanderers elected to have first use of the wind for the first half but after a quiet opening 10 minutes Bedwas got on top in the scrum which lead to visiting tight head prop Curtis Hicks being sin binned for not binding at a scrum.
Bedwas immediately took advantage of the additional man power and Greg Callow burst through for a try, Bradley Williams adding the conversion. The same combination doubled the home advantage five minutes later to leave Wanderers ruing their indiscipline.
Following Hicks’ return from his enforced 10 minute break the game ebbed and flowed but few scoring opportunities came about until 31 minutes were elapsed, A Bedwas attack down the right hand side was rewarded with a try for Craig Hudd who dived over for a try as the visiting defence did impressions of cardboard cut-outs. Bradley Williams again adding the extras.
A fourth try with two minutes of the half left earned a vital bonus point for Bedwas, this time scrum half Owain Keane darting over for the try improved upon by Williams’ conversion.
Wanderers struck back with the final play of the half as centre Rhys Beynon took advantage of a gap in the home defence to spring through for a try, outside half Rob Evans could not add the conversion as his kick drifted wide.
Five minutes into the second half Bedwas banished any thoughts the visitors may have had that they could come back into the game as James Richards found himself in space on the left to cross for a try. Bradley Williams unsuccessful with his conversion on this occasion.
Richards blotted his copy book 20 minutes later as he was adjudged guilty of pulling down a Wanderers maul and despatched for a 10 minute break on side-lines. However, the remaining 14 Bedwas players dug deep whilst Richards was away and repelled the visiting attack and not concede any further points.
A raft of Bedwas substitutions on 69 minutes was rewarded almost instantly as Matthew Williams followed his brother Bradley’s example to cross for a try converted by Bradley.
With man of the match Jordan Rees breaking through tackles at will Bedwas continued to attack and replacement scrum half Rory Harries took advantage to add his sides’ seventh try of the afternoon again improved upon by Bradley Williams. With time running out Matthew Williams dived in under the posts for his second try of the afternoon, the referee calling time on proceedings shortly after Bradley Williams’ seventh conversion of the afternoon.
The Bedwas Man of the Match award sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant of Caerphilly was awarded to Jordan Rees (below)
There is no game scheduled for next Saturday meaning Bedwas will next be in action at Bargoed on Saturday 28th December 2019 which has all the ingredients of being a hard fought game between two sides at the top of the table.
In the meantime on behalf of Bedwas RFC I would like to wish everyone connected with the club a very Merry Christmas. May I remind you that the club house is open from 1pm until late on Boxing Day with entertainment in the evening from ‘The Firm’.
Images from the game can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums