With the wind at their backs Bridgend took an early lead from James Dixon’s penalty. It got worse for Bedwas five minutes later as a Bedwas clearing kick was caught by Adam Williams whose pass put co-centre Chris Lewis in the clear to run in from deep past a static defence.
Bridgend attempted to turn the screw and Owen Howe’s first long range penalty attempt from the half way line fell short but his second attempt from the opposite side of the field was successful to put his side thirteen points ahead. Richard Powell pulled three points back with a close range penalty shortly afterwards but a second attempt on the stroke of half time was unsuccessful.
Play was evenly contested at the start of the second half before Bedwas made several changes including both prop forwards being substituted. It didn’t take long for the changes to pay off as Brynley Toms got on the end of a Richard Powell pass to bundle over for his first Bedwas try.
Owen Howe slotted a penalty to increase the Bridgend lead. Powell added a penalty to reduce the arrears before Bedwas got fully back into the game when Harley Thomson crossed out wide to the right of the posts. Confusion reigned as the match officials awarded the conversion despite Bridgend protests that the ball had not dissected the posts.
Shortly afterwards Bridgend were reduced to fourteen men as centre Adam Williams was sin-binned for a deliberate knock on and Powell accepted the offer of the three points to increase the home sides lead to five points. Bedwas again upped the ante and Lewis Hudd broke through for a try improved upon by Powell for a twelve point advantage with only three minutes left.
As the clock ran down Bedwas thought they had clinched the bonus point try as Harley Thomson put Mathew John in for a clear run to the try line but celebrations were premature as he was ruled to have not grounded the ball. Bedwas were not to be denied however as with seconds left of injury time Stuart Thomas crossed in the left hand corner to complete a stirring comeback. Jack Maynard’s conversion attempt went wide but it mattered not as the game was won, a result which had looked unlikely at half time.
Bedwas take a break from league rugby on the weekend of 14 March before returning to action with a game at Llandovery on Friday 20 March, kick off 7-30pm.
And here is the Bridgend viewpoint…
Bridgend started the match in fine fashion as James Dixon landed an early penalty before Owen Howe’s long range attempt was sent just wide. From the resulting 22 metre drop out, Bridgend built an attack that lead them deep into the Bedwas half and a great angle from Chris Lewis saw the centre scythe through the hosts defence.
Lewis was able to round the final covering defender and slide over to notch the first try of the match. Dixon landed the conversion to give the Ravens a ten point lead with little over 12 minutes on the clock.
The Ravens’ forwards showed their power throughout the first half with big scrums and driving mauls. Bridgend added another three points, this time Owen Howe’s long range effort sailed over, before the hosts got their first points of the match when Richard Powell slotted a penalty for Bedwas as halftime approached.
The start of the second half was evenly matched. The Ravens were attempting to get the ball out wide but were perhaps guilty of over playing as Bedwas were to go over for their first try. Brynley Toms bundled over for the score. Confusion struck as the conversion appeared to have been pushed wide, the assistant referees lifted their flags and the extras went up on the scoreboard before being taken off in the confusion and then re-added. There was no major impact on the match as Bedwas went on to dominate the final quarter, running in three further tries.
Owen Howe landed a penalty for Bridgend which would prove to be the visitors last points of the match with just 60 minutes on the clock.
The Ravens’ lineout began to falter and the hosts were able to capitalise. Harley Thompson went over out wide following a turnover in possession after a lineout was lost by Bridgend, the conversion was sent wide.
Powell slotted a penalty to hand Bedwas the lead for the first time in the match with a little over 10 minutes remaining. A couple of minutes later the fly half had the chance to extend the hosts’ lead as Adam Williams was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on in the Ravens 22. The resulting penalty was kicked and Bedwas were able to pull further ahead with the man advantage.
The hosts’ third try was scored out wide as the numerical advantage left a natural overlap. Lewis Hudd was the man to touch down. Powell added a fine wide conversion as the win was sealed.
Bedwas wing Matthew John appeared to have notched the hosts bonus point try only for his score to be chalked off as the ball was grounded on the dead ball line. Bedwas were able to get the bonus point as Stuart Thomas managed to touch down out wide and complete the hosts’ impressive comeback.
