Bedwas RFC 23 Newbridge RFC 36
WRU Admiral Championship East, Saturday 11 November 2023.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Two tries in two minutes just after an hours play took the game away from a plucky, hard working Bedwas who put in a good afternoon’s work against a physically bigger forward pack.
On a bright, cool November afternoon both sides cancelled each other for the first 10 minutes before Bedwas took the lead via a James Dixon penalty goal from the halfway line.
Newbridge levelled the score 10 minutes later thanks to a penalty from full back Sam Watkins.
Ten minutes before half time Newbridge took the lead after Bedwas were deemed guilty of collapsing a scrum and a penalty try was awarded. Curiously no yellow card was shown to a Bedwas player for the alleged misdeed.
Bedwas battled back and just before the interval quick hands across the line put Hamish Anderson in for his first try of the season, Dixon’s successful conversion levelling the scores at the break.
Bedwas started the second half well and two successful James Dixon penalty goals after 45 and 55 minutes put Bedwas six points clear.
Newbridge were awarded a second penalty try after 62 minutes for offside despite home supporters believing the Newbridge scorer had been tackled into touch. Hamish Anderson was deemed to be offside and issued a yellow card.
Two minutes later Newbridge took advantage of their superior numbers as Stuart Vokes bulldozed over for a try which was unconverted by Watkins.
Bedwas continued to battle well but a further two tries in two minutes put pay to any thoughts of a comeback. Cian Jones crossed for two tries after 70 minutes and 72 minutes, Watkins adding the extras to put his side too far ahead for Bedwas to recover.
Two minutes before the final whistle Bedwas grabbed a consolation try as replacement scrum half Jak Robbins squeezed under a defender for a try, Dixon converted.
Newbridge held out for a victory the margin of which probably flattered them a little but was nonetheless deserved.
The Bedwas man of the match sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant was awarded to Tommy Chapman.
Next Saturday Bedwas are in Championship East League action at Treorchy (kick-off 2-30pm).
A small match gallery (my eyesight was suffering a little due to eye drops earlier in the day) is at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums