Trebanos RFC 13 Bedwas RFC 17
WRU Admiral Championship, Thursday 02 February 2023.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Three first half tries ultimately saw Bedwas get back to winning ways but credit to Trebanos who fought back well to make it a nervy last ten minutes for the Bedwas contingent.
The game started at a fast pace on a wet, Thursday evening but when Trebanos turned over possession in midfield Bedwas put a few phases together and Rhys Morgans was driven over for a try with five minutes played. James Dixon’s conversion kick went wide.
The home side came back strongly and had a lot of possession, but the Bedwas defence was in control and kept them out until just after midway of the half when the home side reduced the arrears courtesy of a Kristian Jones penalty goal.
The rain continued to fall and conditions deteriorated but both sides battled on with no further scores until five minutes before the break.
A Bedwas penalty was kicked to touch and a well organised catch and drive resulted in a try for hooker Mike Dacey, Dixon added the conversion.
It got better for Bedwas on the last play of the half. The ball came loose near the half-way line and Aaron Billingham reacted quickest to hack the ball through and win the race to touch down in the corner. James Dixon was again unsuccessful with his conversion kick from the narrow angle but at 17 points to 3 ahead the expectation was for Bedwas to kick on and earn a bonus point win.
James Dixon an early second half penalty before an interception from home outside-half Sam Davies saw him sprint away for a try past a flat footed Bedwas defence. Kristian Jones added the extras.
Jones missed a penalty shortly before the hour mark but several substitutions by both sides seemed to work better for the home side who continued to enjoy a great deal of possession which Bedwas had to dig deep to repel.
Kristian Jones’ second penalty goal of the night reduced arrears to four points as the game entered the last five minutes. It was backs to the wall for the Bedwas fifteen as the home side continued to dominate possession and come very close to snatching the win as Bedwas clung on.
It was a big relief for Bedwas to hear the final whistle and finally post a victory after almost three months.
This match marked the 150th appearance for Bedwas for prop forward Brynley Toms who was presented with a club tie after the game by Director of Rugby Gareth Arrowsmith.
Bedwas are back in action on Saturday 11 February when they make the short trip to Glamorgan Wanderers’ Ely ground for a league match which kicks off at 1-00pm.
Match images (very challenging light for this match!) are at: Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr