Neath RFC 19 Bedwas RFC 14.
WRU Admiral Premiership, Saturday 10 October 2026.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
As has been the case in so many matches this season it was another case of so near, so far for Bedwas, with a last play of the game chance to win the game not taken.
Bedwas had to rejig the starting line up with Gethyn Cannon suffering a bump to the forehead in the warmup, Daniel Wall moving into the second row. Cannon had to wait for the swelling to go down before the doctor present at the game allowed his introduction.
Bedwas had use of the breeze in a first half of sunny periods Neath from the first whistle appearing to be a very physical side.
Bedwas were therefore under the pump for the opening period, and it was no real surprise that the home side took an early lead via a catch and drive try, hooker Kian Jones being driven over. The conversion attempt by Steff Williams was off target.
Neath continued to dominate possession, but good Bedwas defence prevented further scoring. Bedwas came close after half hour, but strong home defence again kept scoring opportunities at a premium.
Neath replaced second row Brynley Thomas with Jacob Blackmore as the first period saw thirty minutes elapsed, but Blackmore was then sinbinned almost immediately for a ruck offence. Neath again defended resolutely to prevent the concession of any points.
With the half drawing to a close Neath increased their lead via loose head prop Jack Powell who exploited a gap in the Bedwas line to crash through for a try. Steff Williams converted to see the half time interval arrive with the home side twelve points to nil ahead.
Two minutes into half Gethyn Cannon was given the all clear to enter the field replacing Rhys Morgans and at the start of the half Dale Rogers replacing Jake Sheppard at number 8.
One minute later Bedwas pulled a try back as run deep into Neath territory by Jake Lee was finished off by Daniel Wall as he crashed through for a try. James Dixon converted.
Bedwas battled hard but could not find a way through a strong defence. Neath increased their lead after twenty-five minutes with left wing Willis Wood crossing wide out on the left. Steff Williams converted.
Bedwas fought hard to get another score and with around five minutes to play Jake Lee kicked through twice to gather the ball and touch down under the posts. Dixon added the conversion to bring Bedwas within seven points of the home side and hopefully a losing bonus point.
With two minutes to play the game was in the balance but unfortunately did not go Bedwas’s way as James Dixon’s last kick of the game through the home defence could not be reached by the onrushing Jac Crompton and the home side were home and dry.
Bedwas deserved the losing bonus point their second half tenacity earned, it is hoped that one point will turn into five points as the season progresses.
Next Saturday (17 October) Bedwas welcome Narberth RFC for a league fixture kick-off at 2-30pm. We will welcome Narberth back to the Bridgefield on Saturday 5th December in the quarter final of the WRU National Cup, so this will be an interesting match-up.
The Bedwas RFC man of the match was awarded to Rhys Hutcherson.
Todays match gallery can be found here.
