Bargoed RFC 13 Bedwas RFC 7.

WRU Championship Cup, Saturday 07 August 2021.

Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.

 This was always going to be a difficult task for Bedwas. Going into the game with no front cover due to unavailability’s meant that the match day squad was reduced to eighteen men. Things got worse before lick-off with Lewis Bowden twisting an ankle during the warm-up leaving only two players on the replacement bench as debutant Jack Guy stepped into the breech.

From a Bedwas perspective the game didn’t start well either. With barely two minutes elapsed Bedwas were adjudged to have illegally stopped a Bargoed driving maul and a penalty try was awarded to the home side. Owen Jones was adjudged the guilty party and he found himself yellow carded.

Bargoed’s superior pack size was making life difficult for Bedwas, but Bedwas refused to lie down and had a reasonable amount of possession but couldn’t conjure up a score.

Bargoed increased their lead on the half hour courtesy of a Steffan Jones penalty goal but again Bedwas responded and were rewarded when after persistent pressure Bargoed’s Lewis Johnson was sinbinned after his team repeatedly infringed. Bedwas took advantage and scrum half Rory Harries wriggled under a few bodies to record a try. Dion McIntosh added the conversion.

Half time arrived with no further scoring.

Bedwas replaced lock forward Matthew Bovington with debutant Harry Oliver at the start of the second half and began the half at a fast pace. However, it was the home side who thought they’d increased their lead, but the try was ruled out for a knock-on in the build-up.

A second Steffan Jones penalty after 65 minutes increased the Bargoed lead but Bedwas showed considerable mettle to keep battling and came close to the try line on several occasions without reward.

Late in the game with Bedwas attacking deep into Bargoed territory several players made justifiable claims for a penalty try believing Bargoed had prevented a scoring opportunity. However, referee Dan Jones denied their claims and Bargoed hung onto take the spoils. Bedwas have the consolation of a losing bonus point for their efforts.

Bedwas are next in action on Saturday 28 August 2021 when neighbours Cross Keys are the visitors for another WRU Championship Cup clash.

Match photos can be found at: Bargoed RFC v Bedwas RFC 07/08/2021 | Flickr