Neath RFC 37 Bedwas RFC 7
WRU Admiral Championship, Saturday 17 September 2022.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas were well beaten by a dominant Neath side on a sunny, mild afternoon at the Gnoll.
The opening stages of the game were evenly contested as both sides looked for an opening. It was the home side who were first on the scoreboard courtesy of a penalty goal from outside half Steff Williams after Bedwas were penalised at a ruck.
Ten minutes an incisive run to a ball kicked through the Bedwas defence by Neath captain (and former Bedwas player) Ryan Evans was rewarded with a try; Williams added the extras.
On the few occasions Bedwas found their way into the home half they were kept at bay by the home defence.
Evans added his second of the day with five minutes of the half to play this time unconverted. Neath increased their lead with the last play of the first half as left-wing Ryan Griffiths ran through for a try under the sticks, Williams added the conversion followed immediately by the referee’s whistle signalling half time.
Bedwas replaced injured full back Sam Davies with Dylan Morgan at the start of the second half. As in the first half Neath soaked up any Bedwas pressure although a glimmer of hope occurred around the 52nd minute as Neath’s Aled Brew was sin-binned for a no arms tackle.
Bedwas immediately replaced Jo Hole with Will Fishlock. Bedwas tried to get into the game and came close when Rhys Morgans was held up over the try line.
Bedwas replaced both starting props after 64 minutes, but Neath were next to score as hooker Josh Clark crossed to earn them a bonus point for four tries. Williams’s conversion attempt went wide.
There was no further scoring until the 74th minute as Neath wingman Ryan Griffiths was on the end of a cross field passing sequence to cross in the right-hand corner for a try, Williams’s conversion kick went wide
With two minutes left to play Neath Number 8 Morgan Kneath completed the try scoring for the home side; Williams’s conversion kick hitting a post and rebounding to safety.
Bedwas scored a consolation try in the dying seconds. A break down the right by Sam George put in the supporting Lloyd Wilkins for a try he also converted. The referee immediately ending play with a shrill blast of the whistle.
Next Saturday Bedwas welcome Narberth RFC to the Bridgefield as they look to immediately return to winning ways.
Further images from this game are at Bedwas RFC’s albums | Flickr