Maesteg Quins RFC 9 Bedwas RFC 3.
Admiral WRU Championship, Saturday 22 October 2022.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Maesteg gained revenge for the Cup defeat by Bedwas the previous week, physically overpowering them this week to claim a deserved win.
This week’s game was played in much calmer conditions punctuated by heavy rain showers contributing to a greasy pitch not conducive to running rugby.
Lloyd Wilkins had the first opportunity to Bedwas on the scoreboard, but his penalty attempt went just wide. Maesteg’s Owen Howe had a similar opportunity 8 minutes later, but his shot similarly fell wide.
Maesteg were dominant in the scrum throughout and it was from a scrum penalty they took the lead after 32 minutes, Owen Howe gratefully taking the three points. A second penalty from a scum after 38 minutes was again kicked successfully by Howe to see his side six points ahead at the break.
The second half started much the same. Howe kicked another penalty from just inside the Bedwas half following another Bedwas scrum offence.
Bedwas attempts to get on the scoreboard continued to slip away, a combination of mistakes and good defence saw scoring opportunities at a premium.
Lloyd Wilkins reduced the arrears with a penalty after 55 minutes which gave Bedwas a bonus point for a losing margin of less than 7 points. Bedwas brought on fresh legs, but Maesteg held firm for the remainder of the game.
Bedwas frustrations grew and a yellow card for Harry Oliver for a late challenge on Howe with time almost elapsed capped a miserable afternoon for Stefan Sankala’s men.
Next Saturday Bedwas host Ystalyfera RFC, kick-off 2-30pm for a league fixture and a chance to put right the wrongs of this week’s disappointment.
Match gallery is at: Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr