St Peters RFC 31 Bedwas RFC 52
WRU Admiral Championship (East), Saturday 30 November 2024.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Bedwas maintained their winning run at St Peters but not without drama as the home side threatened a second half comeback before two late Bedwas tries made the game safe.
On a cloudy Cardiff afternoon, the home side had Bedwas on the back foot for the first five minutes but crucially they didn’t turn their dominance into points.
It was Bedwas who scored first on their first foray into the home half. A Bedwas penalty kicked to touch saw the ensuing line out won and the Bedwas pack drove the ball on with hooker Mike Dacey the last man over the line to claim the try. Lloyd Wilkins added the conversion.
The Bedwas pack was dominant, and another driving maul saw Dale Rogers dive in for a try despite home supporters claims he knocked on before grounding. Wilkins again added the conversion.
Bedwas turned the screw and St Peters were adjudged to have committed an offence near the try line and Bedwas were awarded a penalty try.
A minute later as the half reached the halfway point Bedwas earned a four try bonus point as Leo Geraci raced through to cross in the left-hand corner. Lloyd Wilkins’ conversion went wide.
St Peters responded with a try by full back Calum Tomsa converted by Llew O’Brien three minutes after the last Bedwas try but from then on, both sides cancelled each other out and no further scores were added.
Two Bedwas tries in the opening four minutes of the second half gave Bedwas some breathing space. Will Fishlock scored the first, converted by Wilkins and then a solo effort from the halfway line by Wilkins bought him a try and the ensuing conversion put Bedwas twenty-eight points ahead.
St Peters refused to lie down and a try by second row Johan Hoogendoorn converted by O’Brien gave them hopes of a comeback.
Bedwas’s previously disciplined performance fell apart with the home side winning several penalties before reducing the arrears further with an unconverted try by winger Jay Higgins.
The home side upped the ante and added a third try of the half (for a four try bonus point) after twenty-four minutes as left-wing man Jack Roberts ran through for a try converted by O’Brien.
To compound Bedwas’ problems Will Fishlock was then sent to the sin bin for an alleged tip tackle. The extra man was put to good use as Higgins added his second try of the afternoon which although unconverted trimmed the Bedwas lead to nine points.
With nine minutes to play it was St Peters turn to incur a sanction with replacement flanker Sam Newton sinbinned for not binding at a scrum.
With the early evening dusk moving in Bedwas found an extra gear as Leo Geraci dived over for a try close to the corner flag converted by Wilkins.
The relief for Bedwas supporters and management was palpable and it was even more of a relief when on the last play of the game Mike Dacey squeezed over for his second try of the afternoon which although unconverted ensured Bedwas were taking the spoils.
Next Saturday Bedwas visit Talywain RFC for a quarter final tie in this season’s WRU Championship Cup, kick off will be at 2-00pm.
Today’s match images can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bedwasrfc/albums
