Bedwas 46 Pontypool 10

PONTYPOOL RFC were up against far better opposition when they took on Premiership side Bedwas at Bridge Field in the first round of the SWALEC Cup on Wednesday night.

The game was originally due to be played on Saturday 10 January, 2015, but was postponed due to structural damage at the ground, writes Ray Ruddick. It was Bedwas who cruised to a comfortable win but Pooler gave a good account of themselves despite the difference in class.

Early on, Bedwas were penalised near their 22 on Pooler’s right but visiting outside half Tom Hancock scuffed his attempt at goal. The home side won a penalty on Pooler’s 22 near the touchline. Bedwas kicked for the corner and from the ensuing driving lineout, hooker Alun Rees crossed for the first try of the evening. The conversion attempt went wide (5-0). Bedwas put Pooler under pressure and won a penalty at a scrum near the Pooler uprights. Outside half Richard Powell put his side further ahead with an easy kick (8-0).

Pontypool then went on the attack and their opponents were penalised for hands in a ruck to the right of the posts near the 22 and Hancock pulled three points back for the visitors with a successful kick at goal (8-3). Just before half time Bedwas scored a try near the posts through their experienced No 8 Deri Mattravers and Powell added the extras. Half time score – Bedwas 15 Pontypool 3.

In the first minute of the second half, Bedwas scored their third try when centre Arron Pinches crossed near the posts which Powell converted (22-3).

Shortly after, home second row Josh Walker was yellow carded. Bedwas lost the ball on Pooler’s 10 metre line on the visitors’ left. Pooler’s left wing Nathan Brooks gathered and went on an arcing run and managed to squeeze in the right corner, covering over 65 metres, to score a well-taken try. Hancock converted (22-10). Straight from the restart, Bedwas scored in the right corner through former Pooler wing Rory Budina. The conversion failed (27-10).

Pooler were on the attack and a long pass went loose. Budina gathered and ran the 70 metres to score under the posts. Powell added the conversion (34-10). Then home scrum half Luke Crane went through a gap in the Pontypool defence to score under the posts. This time the conversion was kicked by replacement Jack Maynard (41-10).

The home side had the final say when flanker James Sawyer scored an unconverted try in the right corner as Bedwas ran our worthy winners by 46 points to ten. The reward for Bedwas is a home tie with Cardiff Met in the next round.

Pooler must now concentrate on the league and they welcome SWALEC Championship newcomers Glynneath to Pontypool Park on Saturday (Kick off is 2.30pm).

Pontypool: Josh Hurley, Chris Laing (replaced by Rhodri Usher), Marc Thorley (replaced by Sam Mills), Joe Blackmore, Nathan Brooks, Tom Hancock, Aaron Quick (replaced by Matthew Davies), Matthew Prosser, Ben Parry (captain), Garin Harris (replaced by Rhys Thomas), Matthew Thomas, Josh Porter (replaced by Luke Simms), Jordan Williams, Rob Nash, Tom Organ (replaced by Richard Bromley).

Pontypool scorers: Try by Nathan Brooks. Conversion by Tom Hancock. Penalty by Tom Hancock.

Bedwas scorers: Tries by Rory Budina (2), Alun Rees, Deri Mattravers, Arron Pinches, Luke Crane and James Sawyer. Conversions by Richard Powell (3) and Jack Maynard. Penalty by Richard Powell.

Referee: Mr Martyn Lewis (Gower) replaced by Mr Jamie Morgan (Swansea)