Bedwas RFC 28 Swansea RFC 25
Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday 04 May 2019.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
It was Billy Ocean who sang “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” which is a succinct way of describing Bedwas’ hard earned win over Swansea which keeps their survival hopes alive as nearest rivals Bridgend slipped to a late defeat at Aberavon.
On a gloriously sunny spring afternoon it was the visitors who started the stronger. It was soon evident their pack was stronger as the opened up the Bedwas defence and a clever pass sent winger Tom Williams away to score out wide. Steff Williams was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt.
Bedwas’ attempts to get back into the game were nullified by errors and diligent defence but after 13 minutes a break down the middle was finished off by a fine sprint to the try line by Tom Benjamin who continues to impress since arriving on permit from Cardiff Met RFC. Joe Scrivens added the extras.
Roared on by one of the largest crowd’s at the Bridgefield this season Bedwas edged in front with the award of a penalty try as a Swansea defender was deemed guilty of killing the ball. Unusually no sanction for the Swansea player in the form of a yellow card was forthcoming.
Swansea’s Steff Williams added a penalty goal after Bedwas were penalised which reduced their arrears to 5 points before a great break by Joe Scrivens as he danced around a few defenders before picking out the supporting Luke Crane to finish the job with a try. Scrivens again converted, this time from in front of the posts.
Further Bedwas ascendancy was halted by the referee’s whistle for both adjudged infringements and the half time break but leading 21-8 at half time was laying the foundations of what was needed.
James Richards replaced Nathan Hudd at half time due to injury but it was Swansea who scored first as rangy winger Ryan Griffiths crossed but once again Williams’ conversion attempt missed the target.
Swansea continued the dominance in the tight and their next score came via a penalty try as the Bedwas pack were adjudged guilty of a scrum offence, but again no sanction from the referee.
It was all Swansea as their fourth try of the afternoon by pacy left winger Tom Williams put them back into the lead and Bedwas’ survival hoped in jeopardy. Steff Williams kicking boots must have been left at home as his conversion attempt again missed the target but Swansea were four points to the good with ten minutes to play.
With nine minutes to play it all changed. Adam Williams broke through two tacklers to reach out and touch down on the try line for Bedwas’ fourth and bonus point winning try. Scrivens added the extras to increase the lead to three points.
Bedwas dug in for the remaining time and the whistle blew to happy scenes as supporters and players celebrated a key win. News came through that Aberavon had scored a very late try to deny Bridgend added to the joy but the Brewery Field outfit have one more game to play (at Sardis Road, Pontypridd) and need two points to overhaul Bedwas to earn the play-off chance.
The Man of the Match Award sponsored by Casa Mia Restaurant of Caerphilly was awarded to Luke Crane.
Images from this game can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums