Bedwas savour Foster’s Challenge Cup success
BEDWAS ........................... 23 CARM QUINS .................. 18
BEDWAS secured the first silverware of the season at the Brewery Field in Bridgend on Saturday, overcoming a defiant Carmarthen Quins in the Foster’s Challenge Cup Final.
The new champions’ 23-18 win put memories of last year’s final defeat to Pontypridd behind them, with head coach Steve Law saying the victory was long overdue.
“I’m really pleased,” said Law. “There are lots of people who’ve worked really hard for a long time. Since the Premiership started this is the first silverware we’ve won and we’re going to enjoy it.”
Bedwas were the better side for long periods, but had to endure a tense final few minutes after Quins’ late try reduced the deficit to five points. But Law remained confident his players would prevail.
“We’ve got great endeavour within the side which isn’t coached, it just happens,” he said.
“The determination to scramble or make last ditch tackles to keep us in the game is always there.”
Quins opened the scoring through flanker Shaun Evans’ try, before both sides traded penalties to leave Carmarthen 8-3 ahead.
Neither side looked to take risks in a game where no less than 11 penalty kicks at goal were taken and it was Bedwas’ Richard Powell who was the more reliable, adding his second on 26 minutes.
Patric Lewis’ try put Bedwas in front before half time, after George Lee and Quin’s Morgan Allen both saw yellow following an altercation.
Bedwas scored their second try on 58 minutes through Michael Callow, grounding between the posts to give Powell a straightforward conversion.
Another Powell penalty looked to have sealed it, only for Quins to hit back with five minutes remaining. Andrew Green crossed and replacement Craig Evans’ sublime kick set up a tight finish, but it was not to be for Carmarthen.
Following the game, Quins head coach Richard Kelly praised Bedwas but hopes his side can learn from their defeat.
“Firstly, all credit to Bedwas,” said Kelly
“For us, when we had opportunities we didn’t take them. I think this has to be a starting point for us to look at what wasn’t right and how we can put that right before the end of the season.”
A Bramwell; P Lewis, A Williams (C Edwards 64), M Callow, M John; R Powell, N Griffiths (capt); D Preece (B Toms 54), A Rees, C Budgen, G Edmunds (T Bell 55), J Davies, J Richards (A Waite 43), G Lee, R Blake.
L Williams; C Banfield (D Morgan 62), I Evans, R Williams (capt), M Griffiths; S Marshall (C Evans 70), C Lloyd (G George 76); N Williams (S Phillips 69), T Myhill (R Clancy 12), J Sebastian (S Thomas 73), S Jones, L Taylor, S Evans, E Lloyd (A Green 65), M Allen. Gwyn Morris Richard Powell (Bedwas)