Talywain RFC 13 Bedwas RFC 27.
WRU Championship Challenge Cup, Saturday 14 December 2024.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas moved into the semi finals of the Championship Challenge Cup by defeating a battling Talywain side who never gave in.
On a cold mid-December afternoon with a heavy pitch following the rain on the weekend previous both sides took time to settle but it was Bedwas who registered the first points of the day for a lead that was held for the whole game.
The first score came in the fourteenth minute. Following a Bedwas penalty kicked to touch line out ball was claimed and the Bedwas forwards kept the ball in the ensuing driving maul with Rhys Hutcherson crossing the line. Lloyd Wilkins’ conversion drifted wide.
From the re-start Talywain kept possession for a lengthy period which eventually saw them gain a penalty chance after Bedwas were adjudged offside. Ethan Davies added the three points with a well-executed kick.
Given the heavy pitch both sides struggled to gain any momentum but just after the half hour Dale Rogers broke through the home defence and quickly recycled ball across the line saw Adam Williams burst through would be tacklers to cross in the corner. Lloyd Wilkins added the extras.
Bedwas increased their lead with three minutes to play until the interval thanks to a Lloyd Wilkins penalty after Talywain were adjudged offside.
With the half drawing to the end there was time for Ethan Davies to add a penalty after Bedwas were penalised at a ruck.
Bedwas made changes with both starting prop forwards being replaced by Jordan Rogers and Ryan Thomas -the latter making his fiftieth appearance for Bedwas. (Thank you and Congratulations Ryan). Alex Meeson was replaced by Will Fishlock at the same time.
Bedwas increased their lead after nine minutes played as Lewys Willacott ran through for an unconverted try in the left-hand corner.
The substitutions continued with Rhys Jones, Lewis Crane, Jak Robbins, Ben Lewis, and Jake Lee all entering the fray to take over from Lloyd Jones, Rhys Morgans, Toby Thomas, Tristan Kugler and Lewis Bowden, respectively.
The home side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession, but the Bedwas side were in no mood for concessions and no further scores were forthcoming.
Having weathered the storm Bedwas finally put the game safe after thirty-four minutes. A kick through was missed by a Talywain defender and Lewys Willacott picked up the loose ball and moved it on to Lloyd Wilkins to sprint in from thirty metres for a try he added the conversion to. These scores take Wilkins’ personal tally for the season to 195 points-a magnificent achievement to do so before half of the season has elapsed.
There was still time for Talywain to have the last say as a kick through was gathered in by replacement Dan Knight for a try converted by Ethan Davies.
Next week will be the last game of the year for the first team as we host Beddau RFC at the Bridgefield. This game has the making of being a Christmas Cracker as both sides vie for top position in the league table. This game will see three more milestones reached with (if selected) Rhys Jones and Lloyd Wilkins making their fiftieth appearances and Lewis Bowden his one hundredth appearance for Bedwas.
Images from this match can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums
