Bedwas lift first trophy of the season

BEDWAS were crowned the 2016/17 Foster’s Challenge Cup champions after they held on to beat Carmarthen Quins at Brewery Field in Bridgend.

The Gwent side had led 23-11 with five minutes on the clock, but Andrew Green crossed in the corner and Craig Evans held his nerve with the extras to set up a tense finale.

But the Men of Bridge Field – who lost in the inaugural final last season to Pontypridd – did enough to go one better this year after beating Bridgend 55-14 in their semi-final.

Carmarthen made the brighter start and went ahead through a Shaun Evans try with 11 minutes played.

But Richard Powell’s 13th-minute penalty ensured Bedwas replied immediately.

Steffan Marshall made amends for his earlier conversion miss and added a penalty but squandered another three-point opportunity minutes later.

Powell, however, made no mistake to close the gap, and Bedwas went ahead 138 just before the break through Patrick Lewis’s converted score.

After the interval – which featured Quins U9s taking on Bedwas U9s – Marshall sorted his radar out and reduced the deficit to two with a penalty on 66 minutes.

But Mike Callow forced his way over and Powell kicked the extras and a penalty which appeared to seal the win as they led 23-11 with very little time remaining.

The Camarthen Quins had other ideas though, and kept Steve Law’s side sweating after Green’s score in the corner was converted.

Camarthen had possession just outside their 22 but they conceded a penalty to give Bedwas the win.

That came too late in the day as Bedwas clung on to lift the first piece of Welsh silverware of the season. Star man Richard Powell - Bedwas