Their latest win, a 24-7 win over Carmarthen Quins on the road that made it eight out of their last nine, took them to the top of Tier 1 table in the Principality Premiership and proved they have the credentials to battle for the top title.
Already into the semi-finals of the Foster’s Challenge Cup, Steve Law’s side will host Merthyr in the last 16 of the WRU National Cup this weekend before returning to Tier 1 action against the same side at the Bridge Field a week later.
“It’s all down to good, honest hard work from the players. We signed a few key players in the summer and out head coach, Steve Law, has found a way to get more out of all of us this season,” said Bedwas skipper Richard Powell.
“He’s a bit of an unsung hero and what you see is what you get from Steve. He is ruthlessly honest and does everything he possibly can to get the best out of all of us.
“The quality of training has improved a lot this season and players in all positions have really stepped up to the mark. Robson Blake has had an outstanding first season with us and some of the young Dragons – Pat Lewis, Conor Edwards and Nathan Hudd – have really flourished.
“It was a big achievement for us to pick up a bonus point win at Carmarthen and with five games left to play in Tier 1, if we can beat Merthyr next week at home we should be well placed to get into the play-offs.”
Matthew John was the Bedwas hero against the Quins as he struck twice to make it two away wins on the trot.
The centre scored the first and last of his side’s four tries with Geraint Edmunds and Blake crossing for the others
The Quins took the lead, though, in the 21st minute through Morgan Griffiths’ converted score which proved to be their only points of a frustrating encounter for Richard Kelly’s side. Edmunds put Bedwas back on top with Powell this time able to slot the conversion for a five-point interval lead.
A scrappy quarter of rugby ensued after the break and it became even worse for Carmarthen as they lost Lee Taylor to the sin-bin. Bedwas duly capitalised on the man advantage as Blake touched down with Powell adding the extra two-points.
John then rounded off a solid, professional afternoon for the visitors with the bonus-point try to give his side the perfect confidence boost ahead of their cup tie this weekend.
Reigning National Cup holders Llandovery edged out a resilient RGC 1404 side with a 20-10 victory at Church Bank. The Drovers, who were playing their first game of the Tier 1 tournament, had too much for Mark Jones’ north Wales outfit on home soil.
Tries in either half from Rhodri Jones and Mike Evans did the damage for Llandovery who had gone into the half time interval with a 10-0 lead. Jones’ effort, plus a conversion and a penalty from Jack Maynard put them on the board.
With a comfortable advantage at the break, the Drovers looked like stamping their mark on the game. However, a 44th-minute penalty from Jacob Botica narrowed the RGC deficit and seemed to give the visitors hope.
It soon got even better. Just six minutes later, RGC were level after Tom Hughes grabbed their first try of the day and Botica converted to tie the game at 10-10.
At that stage it was anyone’s game, but Maynard steadied Llandovery nerves in the 65th minute with his second penalty of the day. That proved to be a confidence builder and with just two minutes to go, Evans crossed for the game’s deciding score.
Maynard booted the conversion for Llandovery’s second 10-point lead of the day, one they had held on to by the time the full-time whistle blew.
