Historic day for Bedwas after Powell sees red

THERE may well be a few sore heads in Bedwas today but those associated with the rugby club won’t mind one bit as their team proudly sits at the top of the Principality Premiership for the first time in its history.

Richard Powell’s first-half red card aside, it was a memorable day for the Caerphilly borough side, which battled to a 29-20 victory over Cardiff at the Bridge Field to take top spot in the table.

That’s because previously unbeaten Llandovery lost for the first time this season at Cross Keys who leapfrogged Carmarthen Quins and Llanelli into fourth place behind Pontypridd, also winners yesterday.

It was not looking like Bedwas’s day though as after 10 minutes they were already 14-0 down as Cardiff fly-half Joe Griffin converted a try of his own and one for No 8 Reuben Tucker.

That sprung Bedwas into life and Powell kicked a penalty to get the hosts on the scoreboard before he converted a penalty try on the half hour mark. Will Thomas took over as Cardiff’s kicker and extended the lead to 17-10 before a moment of madness from Powell.

The prolific fly-half had only just committed a late tackle when he head-butted an opponent and was sent for an early bath.

But, crucially, Ethan Davies landed a penalty seconds before the half-time whistle and Bedwas started the second period only four points in arrears at 17-13.

Despite having a man advantage, Cardiff couldn’t find a way through and it was Bedwas who surged into the lead with three further penalties from the boot of Davies. Thomas pulled one back but in injury-time replacement Matthew Pewtner crossed the whitewash and Davies converted to seal a dramatic win.

As for Llandovery, they came unstuck at Cross Keys but at the least earned a losing bonus point in a 22-15 reverse.

Tom Lampard’s try for Keys was bookended by two for Llandovery’s Sam Soul with Steffan Jones slotting five penalties for the hosts to see them home.

Pontypridd returned to winning ways with a 30-13 triumph at Aberavon as they got their title push going again after a shock defeat to Newport.

Despite going behind to a Craig Evans penalty inside the first minute, the Sardis Road side hit back with a try from Dafydd Lockyer and went on to seal the win with further scores by Rhys Shellard and Owen Williams.

Fly-half Dai Flanagan was also clinical in front of goal, converting all three tries and landing a hat-trick of penalties to take the game away from the hosts, who crossed for one try through Matthew Jenkins late on.

Luckless Swansea remain at the foot of the table following a 20-13 defeat by Bridgend at St Helen’s.

Jamie Murphy converted Luke Morgan’s try for the Ravens 13 minutes in and although the hosts closed the gap with penalties kicked by Nicky Thomas and Cameron Clement, the visitors went further ahead when Nathan Edwards crossed just after the break.

Murphy nailed a penalty and although Swansea got to within two points thanks to an Aled Jenkins score, converted by Clement, Ashley James got what proved to be the clinching try with 15 minutes left.

Neath continue to struggle and they lost 19-9 to an improving Newport outfit at the Gnoll after leading at half-time.

Three Dai Langdon penalties gave them the lead after Scott Sneddon had added the extras to Michael Poole’s early try but Sneddon and then Geraint O’Driscoll kicked Newport to victory.