Pontypridd RFC 17 Bedwas RFC 38.
Friendly fixture, Thursday 20 November 2025.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Three tries in each half earned Bedwas a deserved victory in a highly competitive friendly at Sardis Road.
On a freezing cold evening both sides started off at pace but after weathering early Pontypridd pressure it was Bedwas who opened the scoring after five minutes. Lewis Crane made ground into the home twenty-two metre area, and his offload put scrum half Jak Robbins in for a try under the posts. Bedwas captain for the night James Dixon successfully converted.
Both sides fought for an opening, but Bedwas increased their lead after thirteen minutes. Following a penalty kicked to touch Bedwas won the ensuing lineout and executed a rolling maul with hooker Arwel Hughes claiming the try. Dixon’s conversion went wide.
Twelve minutes later Bedwas extended their lead with a copycat try to that scored previously, again Arwel Hughes claiming the honours. Dixon converted and Bedwas were nineteen points to the good.
Ponty looked to get back into the game, but the Bedwas defence held firm until the thirty fifth minute when winger Jude Williams skipped past Bedwas defenders to touch down. Rhodri Smith added the conversion.
Ponty hopes took a dent shortly before the half time whistle as lock forward Mitch Barnard was despatched to the sin bin for a ruck offence.
The second half saw Ponty up the ante and put Bedwas under pressure for a considerable amount of time. The Bedwas defence continued to hold strong until the fifty second minute from a driving maul hooker Connah Hughes crossed for an unconverted try.
The home side continued to dominate possession and territory and just as Bedwas had done a second try for hooker Connah Hughes from a driving maul reduced the deficit. Again, the conversion kick sailed wide.
It was looking ominous for Bedwas as the home side continued their attacking adventures but from a Pontypridd raid deep into the Bedwas half Eli Shuffley claimed a loose ball and sprinted almost the length of the field before being tackled. However, Jak Robbins’ supporting run was rewarded as he claimed the offload and darted in for a try. James Dixon added the conversion.
Shortly afterwards Bedwas extended their lead with the home defence going AWOL and replacement outside half on the end of a fast attack to increase the lead. James Dixon converted.
Bedwas were not finished and with the clock running down replacement Milo Crompton crossed in the corner for an unconverted try.
This was a very good performance from the Bedwas side who were never behind in the contest. Everyone in the named squad got some time on the field which was the primary objective.
Bedwas RFC would like to thank Pontypridd RFC for hosting the fixture and for the hospitality after the game.
Bedwas now have an enforced break from playing due to the last two Autumn internationals. The next fixture for the first team is on Saturday 6th December when Gorseinon RFC are the visitors for a WRU Championship Cup quarter-final fixture which will kick off at 2-00pm.
Images can be found at: Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr
