Bedwas 29 Cardiff 20

BEDWAS are top of the Premiership for the first time in their history after stunning Cardiff with 14 men.

Cardiff were ahead after only four minutes, full back Joe Griffin crossing and adding the conversion from a narrow angle.

From the restart Cardiff knocked on, Bedwas retained possession but good defence kept the home side at bay before the home side transgressed and Cardiff cleared to touch. The visitors won the line- out but lost possession and Stuart Thomas cleared to touch. Cardiff counter-attacked and slick hands put back-rower Reuben Tucker in for a try, Griffin again converting. Bedwas got on the scoreboard courtesy of a Powell penalty after Cardiff were adjudged offside on the halfway line. Bedwas earned a scrum deep in the Cardiff half and forced the visitors to concede a penalty for collapsing the scrum. Bedwas opted to reset the scrum and this time destroyed the Cardiff scrum and earned a penalty try. Powell added the conversion.

Then came a moment of madness. Powell tackled a Cardiff player late, at worst a yellow card offence. However, Powell reacted to something said by an opposing player and was shown a straight red card for violent conduct. Will Thomas stroked over the ensuing penalty goal.

Replacement Ethan Davies notched a penalty for Bedwas shortly before the break to leave the home side four points adrift for a second half with only 14 men.

It didn’t take long for Bedwas to reduce the arrears as Davies added a further penalty after Cardiff were penalised at a ruck. Bedwas scrum-half Tom Rowlands was tackled unfairly and Ethan Davies stepped to slot the penalty to put ahead for the first time in the game; a lead they were not to relinquish.

Cardiff earned a penalty chance but Thomas was off target before Davies slotted a Bedwas penalty after Cardiff were penalised at a scrum. Cardiff earned a penalty, this time converted by Thomas.

Bedwas, five minutes from time, delivered the knock-out punch. Replacement Matthew Pewtner crossed andDavies added the conversion.

On Friday Bedwas visit Carmarthen Park for a league game against Carmarthen Quins, kick-off 7.30pm.

 

 

 

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