Bedwas RFC 50 Talywain RFC 41.
WRU Admiral Championship, Saturday 02 November 2024.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas stretched their winning streak to seven matches by overcoming a resolute Talywain in a high scoring encounter, the two sides sharing twelve tries.
On an overcast, mild afternoon at the Bridgefield Talywain drew first blood via a first minute penalty from former Bedwas player Ethan Davies (2012-13).
It did not take long for Bedwas to respond as Lewis Crane burst through would be tacklers to cross for a try; Ben Lewis added the conversion.
Five minutes later Talywain regained the lead. A quick tap penalty saw the ball moved left the move being finished off by Scott Williams. Ethan Davies’ conversion missed the target.
Bedwas continued to dominate in the tight and regained the lead after sixteen minutes via a penalty try after the referee decided Talywain had committed too many penalties close to their try line.
It got worse for the visitors three minutes later with hooker and captain Lewis Ball despatched to the sin bin for failing to retreat ten metres as Bedwas took a tap penalty.
Bedwas instantly turned the advantage of an extra man into points as Hamish Anderson (on permit for Ebbw Vale) sprinted through for a try out wide. Ben Lewis converted.
Talywain responded through the boot of Ethan Davies as Bedwas conceded two penalties close to the posts.
Again, Bedwas responded this time from a catch and drive line out move with Rhys Hutcherson being driven over for a try (and a bonus point for four tries) again converted by Ben Lewis.
Talywain hit back a try from scrum half Danny Davies improved by Ethan Davies and with the half drawing to a close Ethan Davies kicked a penalty from the halfway line after Bedwas were penalised at a scrum to see the scores at half time as Bedwas 28 Talywain 21.
Ben Lewis kicked a penalty shortly after the restart to increase the Bedwas lead to ten points only for Ethan Davies to respond in kind with another long-range kick.
Shortly afterwards Talywain were penalised at a scrum and tight head prop was sinbinned for the offence. Again, the Bedwas response was almost immediate as Rhys Hutcherson was driven over for his second try of the afternoon. Ben Lewis’ conversion went wide.
Midway through the half Bedwas increased their lead as replacement Lloyd Wilkins having just entered the field of play kicked the ball through the defence before regathering at pace to dive in for a try converted by Lewis.
Talywain hit back with ten minutes to play as winger Luke Basham found the space to cross for an unconverted try.
Bedwas hit back with five minutes to play winger Lewys Willacott pirouetted through the Talywain to give Bedwas some breathing space. Lewis added the conversion to bring up the half century of points.
To their credit Talywain did not give up with time almost elapsed putting pressure on the Bedwas line earned them a penalty try and Bedwas a yellow card for Jo Hole.
There was still time for Talywain to add their fifth try of the afternoon through Scott Williams. A successful conversion would have earned them a second bonus point (for finishing within seven points) but Ethan Davies’ kick hit a post and rebounded away from the target.
Nest Saturday (9th November 2-30pm kick-off) Bedwas travel to Mountain Ash hoping to continue the winning streak.
The Bedwas Man of the Match sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant of Caerphilly was awarded to Rhys Hutcherson.
This match marked the 100th appearance in a Bedwas jersey for hooker Mike Dacey. Congratulations and thank you Mike for your outstanding contribution.
Today’s match gallery can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums
