St Peters RFC 25 Bedwas RFC 29
WRU Admiral Championship (East) Saturday 06 April 2024.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas returned to winning ways running in five tries to see off an industrious St Peters thus keeping Bedwas in the mix for a top five finish at the end of the season.
On a dry but windy afternoon Bedwas had the stiff breeze at their backs for the opening half and got off to a good start. Lewis Crane intercepted a St Peters pass on the back of a line out to race in sprint in from forty metres out. James Dixon added the conversion and Bedwas were seven points to the good with only three minutes played.
St Peters replied almost immediately with a successful penalty goal by Tom Francis after Bedwas were penalised at a ruck but five minutes later Bedwas extended their lead.
St Peters lost control of the ball at a ruck and Aaron Billingham pounced to hack the ball on and touch down in the right-hand corner. James Dixon was unable to add the extras as his kick drifted wide.
St Peters battled to get back into the game and got their rewards after 27 minutes. After winning a scrum ‘against the head’ quick hands put left winger Jay Higgins for a try in the left had corner; Francis adding the extras.
Following a stoppage due to injury to a St Peters player a penalty goal by Francis put his side ahead for the first time in the contest as the half ended.
Bedwas rang the changes early in the half with Ben Drew making way for Brynley Toms and Arwel Hughes taking over hooker duties from Lewis Crane.
With approximately ten minutes played Bedwas retook the lead as Aaron Billingham crossed in the right-hand corner, Dixon added the extras to put Bedwas nineteen points to thirteen ahead.
Five minutes later a St Peters try attempt was adjudged ‘held up’ over the line but from the resulting five metre scrum quick hands put inside centre Ryan Newton in for a try under the posts. Francis added the conversion to put his side a point ahead.
St Peters weren’t finished and a second try of the afternoon by Higgins, this time unconverted put his side six points ahead.
Bedwas woke up and good hands resulted in a try by replacement winger Max Rivers in the left-hand corner. Dixons unsuccessful conversion saw St Peters maintain their lead by a single point.
With five minutes to play Bedwas edged in front thanks to Aaron Billingham’s third try of the day as he squeezed in close to the right-hand corner flag. Dixon’s conversion kick drifted wide, but Bedwas were four points to the good.
St Peters hopes of salvaging anything from the game as an attack fizzled out due to a knock-on and Bedwas were able to hold out for a crucial victory.
Next Saturday (13th April) Bedwas host Bargoed in what will be a tough game but a crucial one for Bedwas as the hunt for a top five finish continues.
Images from today’s game can be found at: Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr