Bridgend Athletic RFC 12 Bedwas RFC 42.
WRU Admiral Championship East, Saturday 17 January 2026.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas notched up their tenth successive bonus point win to consolidate their lead the top of the Championship East league table.
On a dry and milder than of late Saturday afternoon both sides took time to settle but it was Bedwas who scored first. Following a penalty kicked to touch a catch and drive move saw Bedwas captain Dale Rogers dive over to open the scoring. James Dixon added the conversion and in doing so bought up a personal milestone of five hundred points for Bedwas. Congratulations and thank you James.
With the game becoming an arm wrestle neither side added to their tally until James Dixon ran a neat diagonal line to cross close to the posts. He then added the conversion.
With fifteen minutes of the half remaining Bedwas were unable to add to their tally despite being in a good position to do so on further occasions.
Bedwas started the second half strongly and increased their lead with five minutes played, as pressure on the home line saw a penalty try conceded and home lock forward Mark Davey awarded a yellow card for his sins.
Five minutes later another driving maul saw Dale Rogers last off the turf to claim his sides’ fourth and bonus point winning try. Dixon added the conversion.
Bedwas then replaced both starting prop forwards and winger Aaron Billingham.
Bedwas extended their lead midway through the half. Adam Williams shrugging off would be tacklers to cross in the corner. Dixon maintained his 100% kicking record on the day to land the conversion kick.
Bridgend Athletic pulled a try back after twenty-five minutes as the ball was moved across the back line allowing winger Jake Thomas the space to cross for a try. Scrum half Evan Dadamo’s conversion kick was unsuccessful.
Bedwas completed their scoring with ten minutes to play with a try from debutant prop forward Harri Dobbs, improved on by Dixon’s conversion.
Bedwas looked to increase their lead but Athletic had the last word as a loose Bedwas pass close to the Athletic try line was picked off by Jake Thomas who ran the full length of the field to cross close to the posts. Dadamo added the conversion just ahead of the final whistle.
The Bedwas Man of the Match was awarded to Owen Jones.
Next Saturday Bedwas travel to the neutral venue of the Lextan Gnoll, Neath for a WRU Championship Cup semi-final game versus Championship West side Ammanford. If you have booked a seat on the supporter’s bus this will depart the club at 12 midday. For those travelling independently kick-off is at 2-00pm.
Today’s match gallery is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums
