Bedwas RFC 36 Cardiff Met RFC 31
WRU Admiral Championship, Friday 18 March 2022.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Although Bedwas claimed the spoils in an eleven try thriller under the Bridgefield lights, Cardiff Met were excellent value for their two losing bonus points from an entertaining game.
The game started at a frantic pace, and it was the hosts who took an early lead as Alec Jones claimed a try in the left-hand corner, Matty Bancroft’s conversion attempt rebounding off a post.
Bedwas doubled the advantage four minutes later after quick hands put right wing Liam Jenkins over in the opposite corner. This time Bancroft successfully added the conversion.
Met hit back five minutes later after a number of phases close to the Bedwas line eventually found outside centre Daf Tiueti who squeezed in for a try. Outside half Hadyn Lidstone added the extras.
Bedwas increased their lead four minutes later. From a line out the home forwards did the hard graft with a driving maul and Dale Rogers crossed for a try improved by Bancroft with a successful conversion.
The game continued at a pace leading to errors by both sides before Met pulled a try back by big second rower Brandon Harvey, Lidstone successfully converting.
Bedwas added a fourth and bonus point winning try just before the interval. From a scrum Rory Harries passed to Matty Bancroft who danced past a pair of defenders to put Alec Jones in for his second try of the night. Bancroft’s conversion drifted across the posts. The half time whistle sounded with Bedwas twenty-four points to twelve ahead. You can see this try here: (Courtesy of Ian Whitcombe). Ian Whitcombe on Instagram: “What the photographer see’s #sportsphotographer #sportsphotography #trytime🏉 @bedwas_rfc”
Met came out of the blocks with speed at the start of the second half, but it was Bedwas who scored first with a rare try for prop forward Rhys Hutcherson, Bancroft missing the chance to add the further two points.
Met were seemingly in no mood to throw in the towel and with an hour of the game played pulled an unconverted try back through left wing Ethyn Baker.
Bedwas hit back almost immediately with Alec Jones grabbing his third try of the game after sixty-two minutes-his first hat-trick of tries in senior rugby. Bancroft added the extras.
Still the Met team continued to battle hard and after sixty-eight minutes replacement Connor Vickery added a try to earn a bonus point. Full back Steffan Davies added the conversion.
Late in the game Alec Jones went from hero to villain as he was sinbinned for preventing a quick Met restart from a tapped penalty.
The visitors had the final say of the day in injury time as replacement scrum half Callaghan Smith crossed for a try, Davies’ conversion saw his side within seven points of Bedwas and thus earn a losing bonus point.
Bedwas Man of the Match sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant of Caerphilly was awarded to Alec Jones.
Next Saturday (26th March) Bedwas host Narberth RFC in a league fixture which will kick-off at 2-30pm.
More pictures can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums