Bedwas RFC 29 Tondu RFC 32
WRU Championship Cup semi-final, Saturday 1st March 2025.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
On a near perfect afternoon for rugby, sunshine, very little breeze, and a well-prepared pitch Bedwas fell at the final fence with indiscipline ultimately proving costly.
Bedwas started well. A dominant pack had Tondu on the ropes with Lloyd Jones being driven over for the opening try after eight minutes. Lloyd Wilkins’ conversion sailed across the posts. Further chances followed but the Tondu defence held out.
Tondu responded with a try halfway through the half as hooker Alex George crossed, Jamie Murphy converted to put his side ahead.
The Bedwas riposte was quick. Dale Rogers crossing after more good work by the Bedwas pack, Wilkins added the conversion.
As was to happen throughout the afternoon Tondu were able to reply via the trusty boot of Jamie Murphy as he kicked a penalty from in front of the posts following a Bedwas ruck infringement.
With the half drawing to a close Bedwas tried to run through but after evading a few tackles Wilkins’s kick and chase was impeded by an off the ball tackle and full back Harri Morgan was despatched to the sin bin for a ten-minute rest.
From the resulting penalty the ball was cleared to touch and from the line out the Bedwas pack continued their good work as Mike Dacey was driven over for a try converted by Wilkins.
There was still time for Tondu to gain another penalty at the restart which Murphy again converted to see half time arrive with Bedwas six points ahead at 19-13.
Bedwas extended their lead after seven minutes of the second half. Llewelyn Brown diving in for a try converted by Wilkins. Once again Bedwas conceded a penalty from the restart and Murphy gratefully accepted the offer to add another three points to the Tondu score.
Shortly afterwards Wilkins added a further penalty to extend Bedwas’s lead to thirteen points.
Midway through the half Tondu claimed a try by flanker Ben Davies. The referee initially didn’t allow the score only to be overruled after a lengthy discussion with one of his assistant referees who saw the ball grounded. Murphy added the conversion to reduce the arrears.
Bedwas were rattled and three more Murphy penalties following Bedwas ruck offences found the mark between the 60th and 75th minutes the third of which put his side ahead with the clock ticking down.
Bedwas had one last throw of the dice after gaining a penalty with time almost elapsed. A successful penalty kick from the narrow angle would have tied the scores and had they remained level at the final whistle would have seen Bedwas through to the final on try count. Bedwas opted to run the ball which found it’s way to Lewys Willacott on the wing. Lewys dived for the corner, but unfortunately lost control of the ball and the chance was gone. The final whistle followed a minute later to cue wild celebrations from the Tondu players and supporters.
We wish Tondu every success in the final and hope they have an enjoyable afternoon where they will face Llanelli Wanderers who saw off Beddau courtesy of a last-minute penalty try.
Next Saturday Bedwas resume their league programme with a home fixture against Aberdare. Due to the Scotland-Wales Six Nations game at 16-45 hrs Bedwas will kick off at an earlier time than usual, 13-00hrs.
Images from today’s game can be found at: Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr
