PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP EAST

BEDWAS ....................... 18 CARDIFF ........................ 8

“IT wasn’t pretty, I recognise that, but we’ll take the win.”

That was Bedwas head coach Ian Gardner’s view of the top-ofthe-table clash in the Principality Premiership’s East section that promised much but never really delivered, writes Peter Hughes.

A single Gareth Thompson penalty was all that separated the sides at the interval with the visitors holding a 3-0 lead, but the Bedwas pack came into their own in the second half to give their side the victory.

Steff Jones levelled the scores with a penalty for Bedwas before Cardiff retook the lead when Owen Lane crossed in the corner.

But Bedwas upped their game and went on the claim the win as they were awarded a penalty try, with Cardiff flanker Reuben Tucker yellowcarded, before Alun Rees touched down.

Jones’s second penalty in the 78th minute sealed the result and denied Cardiff a losing bonus point.

Gardner speculated about the reasons for the lacklustre performances, saying: “Both sides have been playing rugby all season and been looking to play. Possibly the occasion got to some of the players out there.

“You always assume you’re going to raise your game after a defeat but it doesn’t always work like that.

“Both sides were hugely committed.

“Nobody left anything out there but it was a case of lots of errors, lots of poor decisions on both sides.”

But Cardiff attack coach Llyr Lane was less willing to offer that as an explanation.

“We both had a defeat last week, which was unexpected, especially for Bedwas, but it probably didn’t have any bearing on today’s game,” he said. “It was a fresh week and we prepared well.

“There were lots of positives considering we are two or three months into a three-year plan.

“The result hurts but I can’t fault the players’ endeavour.

“These guys know what they have done wrong so it’s a question of tweaking things.

“In time our solid seven out of tens will become eight out of tens and then all of a sudden we become a force in the league.”