With a strong wind at their backs for the first half Bedwas coaches and management would have hoped the team would utilise the elements and pin the home side down in their half; this did not materialise and when it did poorly executed line out ball saw possession gifted back to the home side.
Ebbw attacked from the outset and Bedwas could not contain their hosts. A series of four penalties against them saw Bedwas reduced to 14 men after only 10 minutes with Sam Feehan deemed the guilty one for pulling down a line out. Ebbw wasted no time in using their superior numbers with flanker Ronny Kynes crashing over for an unconverted try.
Bedwas tried to counter but a loose pass found the floor instead of hands and was quickly gathered up by Nathan Preece who found winger Jared Rosser who cantered in unopposed under the posts for his sides second try. Dai Langdon adding the conversion.
Bedwas fought back and after good pressure lock forward Geraint Edmonds forced his way over for a try, Richard Powell converted and the deficit was reduced to six points. Bedwas tried to get back into the game but could not unlock a well organised defence and their only reward came after 34 minutes as Powell slotted a penalty.
The killer blow for Bedwas was just before the interval. Scrum half Tom Rowlands’ attempt to get the ball away seemed to be knocked forward out of his hands by his opposite number but the try for full back Dan Haymond was allowed to stand.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Bedwas could not break down the home defence although they came close on a few occasions they could not muster a score that may have bought about at least a losing bonus point.
A Langdon penalty after 66 minutes put the game completely out of Bedwas’ reach and a further effort from Smerdon with four minutes remaining closed out the game and a deserved win for the home side.
Next Saturday Bedwas travel to local rivals Cross Keys for what is anticipated to be another physically demanding game against high flying Keys, kick off at Pandy Park is at 2.30pm.
