Risca RFC Youth 17 Bedwas RFC Youth 17

Match by report by Stephen Lloyd-Clubbe.

On a sunny afternoon Bedwas Youth travelled to Risca Youth with low numbers after last week’s hammering to our local rivals Machen. Our 14 who turned up and fair play to Risca who loaned Bedwas 2 wingers one whom played in the 1st half the other playing in the 2nd half. The game kicked off with Bedwas on the front foot. After 6 minutes played Cullen Bonicci playing his 1st game at scrum half saw a gap open up and sprinted through to score the 1st try with the conversion being slotted between the posts from Zac Raymond playing at outside half for the 1st time this season. Bedwas 7 Risca 0 after 24 minutes.

Risca replied with a try and conversion themselves Bedwas 7 Risca 7. After the 35th minute and Bedwas giving away a number of unforced penalties and with the last kick of the half Risca slotted a penalty between the post to make the half time score Bedwas 7 Risca 10.

After a half time talk from the Bedwas coaches Jon Salter and Gareth Hughes the boys came out but Risca were throwing everything at them Bedwas defence was outstanding. Bedwas went through various phases to score a try out wide by Morgan Akrill Bedwas 12 Risca 10 .Risca restarted the game and again Bedwas mistakes and penalties. Bedwas switched off and turned their backs for Risca to take a quick tap and scoring the try and conversion Bedwas 12 Risca 17.

Bedwas were again guilty of various infringements gave a penalty away for a trip and with some back chatting lost the Captain with 15 minutes remaining and looking as if the game had gone. The Bedwas never say die spirit said more and with the Referee calling last play with a Bedwas scrum on Risca 22 they trundled forward through the pack and scored a try again by Cullen Bonicci. A successful conversion would have won the game but it drifted wide and the Referee blew the final whistle for a spirited draw Bedwas Youth 17 Risca Youth 17.

Today’s man of the match was hard to choose but given to Cullen Bonicci for his running of the game.

With a break for a couple of weeks Bedwas have got to get back to training and get there numbers back up.