A cold, wet afternoon at Bargoed Park won’t be remembered with any fondness for purists of the game of Rugby Union but with the first half of the season coming towards its conclusion all connected with Brynley Toms and his Bedwas teammates who should probably reflect on four league points gained, with a 27 - 17 win over Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404.
Almost all will agree this was a poor quality, error strewn game, but all will agree that if the club is to maintain its top eight status this was a vital win.
The opening quarter didn’t produce much excitement with neither side conjuring any try scoring opportunities but the home side got things going on 20 minutes. After a close range scrum Bedwas were under pressure and conceded a further five metre scrum. Bargoed number 8 Ross Coombs profited as his pack drove over for a try, outside half Calum Jones’ conversion went wide.
Bedwas responded almost immediately as Bargoed were penalised and James S Dixon successfully slotted the ensuing penalty chance. Both sides continued to slog it out without producing any try scoring moments, although Dixon managed to add one penalty and fall short with a long range effort before halftime to give his side a solitary point advantage at the interval.
Fresh legs at half time did nothing to improve the quality of the game as both sides struggled to achieve any rhythm. Dixon stretched Bedwas’ lead around the hour mark with another penalty goal but there was precious else for supporters to get excited about.
With three minutes remaining a fourth Dixon penalty virtually ensured Bedwas would gain the win before finally a try deep into stoppage time sealed the deal. A kick through to the left hand corner and a foot race between Bedwas wingman Pat Lewis and a Bargoed defender was adjudged by the touch judge to have been won by the Bedwas man. Dixon’s conversion went wide as the referee blew for full time.
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