Fixture

Injuries are already becoming ugly with James Cashin, David Francis and Peter Connolly being forced out of the selected XV.  It was a very young, with 18 year-old Bristolian Sam Tiley making his debut, and seemingly underpowered pack that took to the field.  Before they could be tested, though, Beddau were lining behind the sticks to watch a conversion attempt sail wide.

Newbridge on a bright day got the game underway and a sliced clearance was gathered by Number 8 Duffy.  His defence-splitting run allowed full back Lewis Hudd to score the unconverted try.  As soon as they got the ball in their hands it was Beddau, with Hywel Chatham running the show, who were pressing.  The defence was sound and Hywel Chatham eventually settled for 3 points when the ball had been killed.

From the restart Newbridge`s pack kept Beddau pinned down and outside half Eamonn Rees kicked successive penalties won up front.  From 11-3 Beddau won a penalty when Ashley Coombes competed for a ball in the tackle and Newbridge full back Hudd booted it away.  Kicked out of a ruck was a decision not popular with the home support.  Hywel Chatham was, however wide of the mark.  An instant counter attack produced a fine score and a potential 11-6 became 16-3.

Hooker Stuart Vokes ran onto a very good pass and cut a path which he concluded with another good pass to the experienced Trevor James.  The winger ran it in and Eamonn Rees converted.  That completed the first half scoring but there were signs that Beddau had begun to draw the sting from the home pack.

Early in the second half a brisk attack from Beddau was snuffed out but referee John Darcy had spotted a no-arms tackle in midfield and Newbridge centre Scott Williams received a yellow card.  Spurning the easy kick Beddau went to touch.  With Lloyd Evans in the van the shove briefly faltered but quickly regained its momentum with blindside Leon Rogers claiming the try that Hywel Chatham converted.

Anything you can do had evidently crossed the mind for Newbridge too plied the touchline and a well-controlled drive ended with Izaak Duffy plunging over the line.  The conversion failed.

As if injuries were becoming a collector`s piece at Beddau Number 8 Rob Jones was withdrawn and the seasoned Glenn Slater, now starting his fourteenth year, came on.  He took no time to make an impression.  A neat break from Chatham forced Newbridge into urgent defensive activity with Beddau gaining a lineout.  The quick-thinking Matthew Howells threw a short one and though Jordan Goodwin was held up Glenn Slater took the offload and powered in.  Hywel Chatham`s kick made it 21-17 and sewed the first seeds of doubt.

Really there should have been none.  Powerful centre Paul King burst clear and, but for some slight hesitation would surely have scored.  He did hesitate though and Josh Jones made the tackle.  Sam Tiley, reacting quickest gobbled up the loose ball and had the presence of mind to release Tom Slater.  Ashley Coombes appeared on the scrum half`s shoulder and his booming kick took play deep into Newbridge territory.

Another lineout and another forward driven score and again it was Glenn Slater on the end of it.  This time Chatham couldn`t improve it but, by a single point, Beddau now led.  At a lineout Beddau were guilty of interference and Eamonn Rees kicked what must have seemed the winning points.

Beddau do not give up and with Chatham prompting and centres Adam Ashford and Zac Byard continually stretching the defence a pass reached Joe Casella on the outside.  The winger has shown his finishing prowess before and this time he cut inside the first man and then showed pace and power to ride the next tackle in reaching the line.  Hywel Chatham`s touchline conversion added insult to injury.