BEDWAS indiscipline made a huge contribution as a 14-point half lead was squandered at Church Bank, writes Ian Lovell.

With the breeze in their faces Bedwas were out of the blocks as early as the fifth minute with scrum half Tom Rowlands wriggling under a tackle to ground the ball. Richard Powell’s conversion went wide.

Llandovery regrouped and frantic Bedwas defence saw Alun Rees sin binned for killing the ball very close to the try line. Good defence kept out a succession of five-metre Llandovery scrums before scrum half Rhodri Davies found a gap to cross, Tom Maynard‘s conversion attempt went wide.

Llandovery’s winger Aaron Warren crossed for an unconverted try before Bedwas hooker Alun Rees scored two tries after 24 and 31 minutes both coming from driving mauls. Powell converted the first effort.

As Bedwas sought to increase their lead it was Llandovery’s turn to incur the referee’s wrath as prop Berian Watkins was sinbinned for side entry at a ruck.

Bedwas made the numerical advantage pay off immediately, Mathew John showing great strength to burst through two tackles to bring up the four try bonus point, Powell adding the extras.

Llandovery had the last word of the half via a penalty goal from Tom Maynard.

With the breeze at their backs Bedwas ought to have been confident they would hold out for the victory. Brynley Toms’ sinbinning for tackling an opponent without the ball being the start of a gradual decline as the home side began to believe they could get something out of the game after the home side made them pay via a Maynard penalty.

Powell slotted a Bedwas penalty to increase the lead before Aaron Warren added a second try on the hour for the home side, Maynard’s conversion reduced the arrears further.

Powell added a second penalty but found themselves struggling to find any cohesion to their game which was further exacerbated by Screech’s sinbinning for a trip in midfield.

Again the extra man proved decisive as Warren pounced for a try improved upon by Maynard and the home side were only two points in arrears.

With the home side throwing everything at Bedwas discipline was crucial. With two minutes remaining Richard Wilkes was adjudged as entering a ruck from the side and the referee had no hesitation in ensuring he took no further part in the game as he was sin binned.

With the game into its sixth minute of injury time former Bedwas outside half Maynard found a gap and with a grin like a Cheshire cat gleefully dived in for a try.

He recovered his composure to slot the conversion to ensure his side held on for victory.

As well as a four try bonus point finishing within eight points earned Bedwas a losing bonus point but they will rue the indiscipline which proved costly.

On Saturday Bedwas host Cardiff (kick-off TBC).