Newbridge RFC 33 Bedwas RFC 31.
WRU Admiral Premiership, Saturday 19 September 2026.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Mistakes at key moments of the game proved costly as Bedwas slipped to defeat against a strong Newbridge side.
On an overcast afternoon Bedwas did not get off to the best of starts and were a try in arrears after five minutes as scrum half Iestyn Martin-Lloyd found a gap in the Bedwas defence to cross for a try. Sam Watkins converted.
Bedwas hopes took a dent as Ben Sier limped off to be replaced by Dan Wall.
Newbridge doubled their lead after eleven minutes with number 8 Garin Price the last off the turf following a catch and drive move. Watkins converted. Newbridge continued to dominate possession at the stage but added no further scores.
Bedwas gradually began to find their feet and enjoyed a lion’s share of possession but had to wait until the thirty second minute to get on the scoreboard as centre Connor Milsom ran through for a try. Jac Crompton’s conversion attempt fell short.
Six minutes later reduced the deficit further as Tristan Kugler squeezed in at the left-hand corner, again Crompton missed his conversion kick.
Following several incidents where treatment was needed for injury the first half was extended and Newbridge took advantage with Simon Veall on the end of an attack with three minutes extra played. Watkins again adding the conversion.
Leo Geraci who had been injured in the build up to Kugler’s try was replaced by debutant Louis Hurley.
The second half did not get off to the start Bedwas had hoped for as the kick-off was knocked on close to the try line and from the resulting scrum centre Josh Thomas burst through for his sides bonus point earning try. Sam Watkins again converted.
Bedwas fought back and replacement second row Dan Wall burst through for try under the posts after fifteen minutes. Jac Crompton converted.
Newbridge crossed again three minutes later as flanker Matthew Jefferies crossed for a try, this time unconverted.
Midway through the half Bedwas notched their bonus point winning try as Mike Dacey was driven for a try from a lineout.
Bedwas continued to battle and another catch and drive dry by Dylan Lawley converted by Jac Crompton bought Bedwas to within two points of the home score.
As the game entered the last seven minutes Newbridge found themselves a man short for what the referee deemed a deliberate knock-on. Bedwas supporters were perplexed this was not followed by a penalty try as the alleged offence was close to the try line.
The extra man gave Bedwas a boost and two gilt edged opportunities to snatch the winning score came in the last five minutes. Firstly, a Bedwas attack came to nought as what could have been a try scoring pass to the wing by Jake Lee did not go to hand.
Shortly afterwards replacement Harvey Jenkins charged down a clearance kick, but he could not regather the spinning ball and the chance was gone.
With seconds remaining Newbridge had an opportunity to extend their lead, but the penalty kick drifted across the posts.
The final whistle sounded shortly afterwards and Bedwas has to settle for two losing bonus points.
Next week Bedwas host Llangennech RFC in the first of home two games against the same opposition, a league game next week followed by a Premiership Cup tie the week after.
The Bedwas man of the match was awarded to centre Connor Milsom.
Todays match images can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums
