Richard Powell started the ball rolling for Bedwas with a fourth minute penalty goal before the hosts James Dixon landed two goals of his own to put his side ahead. Both sides struggled for fluency and mistakes were much evident, this coupled with the referee’s frequent intervention was not making for much of a spectacle.
Powell missed an opportunity to level things when his long range penalty drifted wide before he and Dixon added to their tallies with both successful with kicks.
When Bedwas managed to get within range they could not take the opportunities to get back into the game. The game came to life a minute before the break with home centre Adam Williams bursting through poor Bedwas defence to ground to the right of the posts. Dixon added the conversion to put his side 16-6 ahead as the referee blew for half time.
If stern words were said at half time it paid dividends as Bedwas came out looking more determined and with a better shape. Powell reduced the deficit with his third penalty of the afternoon after 46 minutes.
A raft of Bedwas substitutions between 50 and 60 minutes proved decisive as Bedwas began to gain possession and territory. A sweeping move saw Rory Budina cross in the left hand corner and with replacement Jack Maynard successful conversion Bedwas were back in the contest at 16 points each.
Both kickers missed shots at goal and it began to look as a draw was the most likely conclusion as neither side could find additional points.
With the clock ticking down Bedwas put together their best move of the match and replacement prop Dan Preece stole the show with a try under the sticks, Maynard added the relatively simple conversion and the referee blew for full time.
Bedwas are next in action on Friday 21 November when they host Llandovery, kick-off 7-30pm.
And here’s Bridgend’s viewpoint…
The Ravens fell to an agonising last minute defeat against Bedwas at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field.
The visitors got on the scoreboard first with an early penalty goal from Richard Powell. James Dixon then landed two of his own to edge the Ravens ahead.
The game lacked tempo as both teams were guilty of making mistakes but the Ravens managed to add to their lead with 35 minutes on the clock. A quick tap penalty on halfway from the hosts caught the Bedwas defenders off guard as they failed to retreat 10 metres. Dixon slotted the resulting penalty to put the Ravens six points ahead.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to hit back as indiscipline from the Ravens handed Powell the chance to claw back three points. The Fly Half landed the penalty as the half seemed to be drawing to a close.
Bridgend ended the half in fine fashion with a well worked try from Adam Williams. A great break deep in his own half from Andrew Waite lead to the visitors conceding a cynical penalty. Dixon’s fine strike to touch gave the Ravens great field position, and they were able to make the most of it. A neat lineout move saw a quick, strong drive from the forwards before the ball was spread wide. A fine break by centre Williams, showing his strength and pace, was finished under the posts. Dixon added the extras to give Bridgend a 10 point halftime lead.
The second half started in the same way as the first with visiting Fly Half Powell slotting his third penalty of the game to reduce the deficit.
The Ravens played some exciting running rugby throughout the second half but were never able to add to their lead.
It was Bedwas that were able to draw the scores level with 60 minutes on the clock. A Clearance kick out on the full handed the visitors great field position. A sweeping move from one side of the pitch to the other, sucking in defenders on the way left a big overlap and winger Rory Budina went over out wide. An excellent conversion from replacement Jack Maynard tied the score at 16 all.
The visitors were nearly able to add to their tally as a strong break saw Bedwas charge upfield. A great last ditch defensive effort saw the ball knocked on over the line as the Ravens survived for the time being.
Both sides missed penalties as the game looked to be heading for a draw, but it was to end in heartbreak for the Ravens as the visitors best attack of the match came with the clock in the red. Bridgend did well to hold out the initial overlap out wide bit quick recycling left the Ravens short of defenders as prop Dan Preece bundled over under the posts. Maynard converted to give Bedwas a seven point win.
Ebbw Vale 19 – 27 Pontypridd
Ebbw Vale opened the scoring with barely a minute gone, outside half Iain Smerdon converting a penalty after Ponty had been caught in possession on their twenty-two metre line. The home team continued to apply pressure, hitting the gain line hard and gaining the favour of the referee’s decisions.
Ponty held firm then fashioned a dynamic break out of defence led by centre pairing Dafydd Lockyer and Gavin Dacey. The Ponty pack maintained momentum with a series of shunts into the home twenty-two, but unable to drive through for a score. Kicking for territory and winning good line out ball, Ponty continued in forward gear, still without threatening a score. Ebbw then set up a drive into their opponents’ half, the game so far keenly contested during its first quarter.
The visitors again advanced with a series of close range drives and drilling through kicks for field position. Poaching line out possession, Ponty set up a midfield charge led by prop Chris Phillips, before settling for a James Whittingham penalty to put their first points on the board with twenty-four minutes gone. From the restart Ponty back rower Rhys Shellard made a telling break, winger Dale Stuckey in support to kick and chase for the line but hauled down without the ball, a penalty try awarded which Whittingham converted.
Ebbw Vale in response launched a concerted foray to their opponents’ twenty-two, but were held up by a committed Ponty defence which then cleared upfield. The visitors countered as winger Dale Stuckey intercepted near the half way line, with Ebbw flanker Ronny Kynes consigned to the sin bin for infringing. Play continued to pulsate back and fore, Ponty first up on the attack before Ebbw again countered, applying pressure which saw Ponty prop Chris Phillips yellow carded, and home outside half Iain Smerdon kicking a penalty. A keenly contested first half came to a close with the score standing at 6pts to 10.
The second period commenced, a dogfight for possession at close quarters, with Ebbw just edging the contest territorially. Having been camped on their opponents’ twenty-two for some time, Ebbw settled for a well angled Iain Smerdon penalty to draw them to within a point in arrears. Ponty responded by attempting to up the tempo of their play, making notable advances but Whittingham off target with a long range penalty attempt.
The contest was full blooded and feisty, Ebbw next to advance with a concerted period of pressure, and making a breakthrough as no8 Harrison Keddie arced through for a try in the corner, with fifty-two minutes gone. Ponty again went on the offensive, pounding the gain line and rewarded as young outside half James Whittingham confidently stroked over a penalty. As the home defence continued to soak up pressure, their winger Owen Williams was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on.
Ponty were now throwing everything into attack, playing through numerous phases, but a try scoring chance going begging as winger Dale Stuckey fumbled near the line. The visitors’ pressure eventually told as they countered from near the half way line, winger Lewis Williams setting off on a scintillating run past the Ebbw defenders to score a fine individual try which Whittingham converted. Ponty had the bit between their teeth and continued to press forward, the pack driving over the line for second row Dan Godfrey to claim a try, again converted by Whittingham.
Ebbw Vale worked their way back into contention, spurning kicks at goal to set up a line out drive and an ensuing maul deep into their opponents’ twenty-two. As Ponty prop James Howe was sin binned, Ebbw maintained their attacking momentum for wing Tom James to snipe in from close range. With the game into its dying minutes there was plenty of action left, Ponty wing Dale Stuckey charging down a clearance to apply pressure, and Ebbw setting out on a last ditch offensive in search of a losing bonus point. The Ponty defence however held firm and preserved a hard fought advantage to the final whistle.
