STEVE Law is stepping down as Bedwas head coach to take up a new post with fellow Principality Premiership side Cardiff.

Bedwas director of rugby Mark Lewis today confirmed that Law will be leaving at the end of the season after 16 years at Bridge Field.

Law is the longest serving Premiership coach and has been renowned for developing players while helping Bedwas become an established outfit in Welsh club rugby’s top tier.

Under Law’s guidance, Bedwas has steadily grown in stature over the years, reaching the play-offs and winning the Foster’s Challenge Cup this term.

They beat the likes of Merthyr, Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale and RGC 1404 but their quest for the Premiership tier one title ended yesterday when they lost 31-24 to Aberavon.

Law will take up the role of director of rugby at the Arms Park, working closely with the Cardiff Blues.

“Steve has been a great servant of Bedwas RFC and most people will realise the huge input he has made in Bedwas’ rise to the top,” said Lewis.

“He has been a talented and inspiring coach and has worked tirelessly at all hours of the day and night to build and coach a squad of players which is the envy of many of the more glamorous clubs with budgets far in excess of ours.

“Having served us for so long he has built up not only huge respect for his achievements but many friendships will be long lasting and will mean there will always be a warm welcome for him whenever he comes ‘home’.

“Steve is a great personal friend of mine and I know the esteem with which he is held by my fellow directors.

“We are all naturally sorry to be losing him and appreciate his decision was a difficult one over which he mulled long and hard.

“It’s a rare opportunity at a crucial time for him which we all appreciate. Sorry to lose him as we are, we stand by his decision.

“We are enormously grateful for his service over the years and give him our very warm wishes as he embarks on this exciting new challenge in his career as one of Wales’ very best rugby coaches.”