Mat holds nerve as Trebanos take Plate

MATHEW Edwards held his nerve to kick a penalty a minute from time and give Trebanos a heart-stopping 23-21 victory over Bedwas in the WRU Championship Plate final at the Principality Stadium.

The wing was given the chance to shoot for glory after Bedwas had been penalised for turning in at a scrum 30 metres out.

The lead had twice changed hands with tries for both sides in the previous six minutes and there was just enough time for Trebanos to make one final foray into Bedwas territory after Dion McIntosh had converted a try in the corner by Liam Jenkins to edge Bedwas into a 21-20 lead.

With the trophy on the line, Bedwas just had to see out the final few minutes, but when they illegally twisted a scrum they paid the penalty. Up stepped Jenkins and over went the kick of his life.

“It was a great effort from the boys and I can’t thank them enough for putting me in those positions to make the kicks,” he said.

Trebanos opened with the first of Edwards’ successful kicks in the 10th minute. Excellent handling opened up a path to the line for Iestyn Lewis to score the game’s first try and Edwards converted superbly before adding a second penalty.

Bedwas replied as McIntosh kicked a penalty and hooker Mike Dacey powered over from the back of a maul for a try that cut the gap to five points.

Two McIntosh penalties gave his side the lead. But Trebanos full-back Josh Ferriman sidestepped his way across in the 72nd minute and Edwards’ conversion made it 20-14. But not for long.

A brilliant offload by Sam Davies released replacement wing Jenkins and he sped to the right corner. McIntosh’s touchline conversion made it 21-20 to Bedwas with only a few minutes left.

It was last-chance saloon for Trebanos and they threw everything into a last attack. They picked up a penalty at a scrum and up stepped Edwards to win the game and earn perpetual local hero status.