Cardiff Met RFC 29 Bedwas RFC 17.
WRU Challenge Plate, Phase 2, Saturday 15 January 2022.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Indiscipline and a lack of possession proved costly for Bedwas as the Cyncoed students came out deserved winners of this Cup fixture.
The home side took an early lead via a penalty goal from outside centre Bradley Roderick-Evans, but Bedwas replied swiftly as a loose ball was kicked through and James Richards sprinted clear to touch down just short of the dead ball line. Dion McIntosh added the conversion.
Bedwas then struggled to get any meaningful possession and referee John Darcy was in no mood for any shenanigans as Lewis Bowden was yellow carded for a ruck offence and two minutes later Harry Oliver and a Met player found themselves having an enforced ten-minute rest after an altercation.
Met’s winger Brad Denty crossed for a try whilst Bedwas were down to thirteen men converted by Roderick-Evans to put his side ahead, a lead they maintained for the rest of the game.
Roderick-Evans added another penalty after half an hour but as side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession.
Dion McIntosh missed with a penalty shot just before the half time break which saw the home side thirteen points to seven to the good.
James Richards became the third Bedwas player to be sin-binned early in the second half, this time for a high tackle.
Bedwas introduced fresh legs in a bid to get back into the game, but it was centre Lewis Bowden who reached out to cross for a try converted by McIntosh who briefly bought Bedwas back into the contest.
Met turned the screw and Roderick-Evans continued his successful afternoon with the boot to add two further penalties, one either side of Bowden’s try and a fifth successful kick after sixty-eight minutes.
A Dion McIntosh penalty with eight minutes left to play reduced arrears but the students ensured victory as prop Oliver Andrews crossed for a try, converted by the irrepressible Roderick-Evans to give him nineteen points for the afternoon.
Bedwas are back in league action next Saturday when we welcome Ystalyfera RFC to the Bridgefield, kick-off at 2-30pm.
Today’s match images are at: Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr