Cup of cheer for Bedwas as they lift Foster’s Challenge silverware
BEDWAS lifted the Foster’s Challenge Cup at the expense of Carmarthen Quins after sealing a deserved win at Bridgend’s Brewery Field.
Quins scored the opening try on 11 minutes through flanker Shaun Evans, who squeezed over in the corner, but Steff Marshall’s conversion attempt sailed wide.
Bedwas were gifted an opportunity to hit back immediately after the kick-off take was knocked on, fly-half Richard Powell taking full advantage with the penalty to make it 5-3.
With both sides taking every opportunity to kick at goal, Marshall made amends for a couple of early misses and extended Quins’ lead with a penalty 20 minutes in.
But the Carmarthen No.10 missed again shortly after, and another Pow- ell penalty pulled Bedwas back to within two points.
An altercation between Bedwas’ George Lee and Quins’ Morgan Allen on half an hour saw both sin-binned and the game opened up immediately.
Bedwas broke quickly to leave Carmarthen exposed, allowing Patric Lewis to race over unchallenged. Powell’s excellent conversion made it 13-8 to Bedwas going in to half-time.
Carmarthen struck first in the second period with Steff Marshall adding another penalty on 53 minutes, but they came under pressure soon after.
Michael Callow collected the ball in the centre with options wide right, but opted for a dummy that fooled everyone in the ground as he raced through himself to cross between the posts. Powell added the extras for a 20-11 advantage.
Another Powell penalty looked to have sealed it for Bedwas, only for Quins to hit back with their second try of the game. Andrew Green crossed in the corner and Craig Evans’ sublime kick looked to set up a tight finish.
It was Bedwas, however, who ended the game on top, holding out with relative ease to celebrate a deserved win. BEDWAS: Tries: P Lewis, M Callow; Cons: R Powell (2); Pens: R Powell (3). QUINS: Tries: S Evans, A Green; Con: C Evans; Pens: S Marshall (2).