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Tata Steel 57 Beddau 17

Match report by Lynn West

Following the controversial defeat in last week`s outing against Ystrad Rhondda, Beddau were looking to record a first victory at Tata Steel.  It was, quite emphatically, not to be.  Steel began with gusto, a steepling kick from outside half Cameron Bricknell giving his pack something to get their teeth into and a badly timed attempt at a tackle opened space on the narrow side.  Mauling forwards ensured some quick ball which was given some air and Morgan Williams, once a Beddau player, glided in for a try that Bricknell converted.  It looked all too easy and certainly the home side, in the bright sun, continued to call the shots.

Beddau were struggling to stay afloat but just when it looked as though they were beginning to make a game of it Morgan Williams picked up a loose kick, accelerated and went clear for a solo score.  The conversion kick clattered a post.

More defiance from Beddau followed as did a further worrying injury when Number 8 Jack Perkins hobbled away from the action to be replaced by another Youth prospect in Josh Thomas.  When right wing James Grainger received a pass and made progress along the line Josh Thomas was on hand to continue the move only to find that the winger had been flagged for a foot in touch.

Steel`s forwards, for whom locks Gavin Ronan and Josh Cuggy were muscular presences drove on in midfield until flanker David Griggs picked up and brushed aside some less than determined tackles in a straight dash to the line.  Cameron Bricknell converted.

Some bright play in midfield took Beddau upfield where Hywel Chatham and Lewis Egal linked to provide a chance for the fast-moving Adam Ashford.  With the line at his mercy, though, the centre dropped the ball.

The momentum was now with Beddau and from a lineout catch and drive the ball stayed in their grasp and Josh Thomas spun over the line for a debut try which went unconverted.  From the restart the ball was fumbled and the hungry home eight grabbed it and set the backs running.  A long, looping pass was superbly picked up by centre Jack Brooks who made the line for Callum Bricknell`s kick to send the teams in at 26-5.

Had Tata`s large pack used up their petrol?  Seemingly not for big hooker Owen Thomas emerged from a rolling maul to set off on another power run to the line for Bricknell to again improve.  Bricknell was in the picture again but for the wrong reasons as an ugly straight arm and high tackle threatened to decapitate Lewis Egal.  The pivot saw yellow.  Beddau were showing some enterprise and Callum Wheeler stayed upright long enough to link with Hywel Chatham who found Lewis Egal.  A quick offload was gathered by prop Ben Stephens who showed a winger`s instincts in finishing.  Chatham`s kick came back off the upright.

Some disruptive play by the Tata back row prised the ball away and speedy winger Amir Jiwa Walji was on it and away for a predatory score which was not converted.  Having regathered the ball at the restart Tata`s pack set up a fortress at the 22 but Beddau spirited the ball away and Jack Secher gave Hywel Chatham a glimpse of the outside.  His efforts to inject some go forward came to grief when Adam Ashford`s pass went behind colleagues and into touch.  From the lineout the ball reached replacement Trystan Herdman who went through a ghost tackle to run in a simple try.

Beddau went back to the drawing board and Chatham and Egal linked again to open a gap for Adam Ashford which the centre took with aplomb.  Hywel Chatham converted to make it 43-17 with the ship, clearly, already sailed.  There remained the target of a bonus point try.  This looked a remote one and more so when Callum Wheeler was bundled into touch at pace and fell awkwardly on a shoulder that was already causing trouble.  There were no backs left on the shelf and Beddau`s reshuffling saw Tom Geere on as a flanker with Greg Morgan filling in behind.  Tata launched a move that again prospered when no meaningful tackle was offered and winger Jiwa Walji was again haring for the line with Bricknell seeing up the 50.  Beddau tried to make way along the touchline but hardworking hooker Matthew Howells was tackled with the ball being deflected into touch for a Beddau throw.  The lineout had been a relative success throughout the game but this one was thrown long and picked off by Tata who quickly turned defence into attack in a sweeping move that ended with Morgan Williams completing his try hat-trick and Cameron Bricknell adding two more points to his collection.

Beddau have consecutive home fixtures against fellow strugglers Newcastle Emlyn and Newbridge but history suggests that neither side will be providing the space to lick wounds and progress on the treatment table is going to be given some anxious attention.

Teams; Tata Steel; 15 Geraint Llewellyn, 14 Amir Jija Walji, 13 Morgan Williams, 12 Jack Brooks (captain), 11 Callum Powell, 10 Callum Bricknell, 9 Steffan Davies (Dalton Brown), 1 Jon Bamsey (David Edwards), 2 Owen Thomas (Steve John), 3 Chris Thomas, 4 Gavin Ronan (Oliver Thompson),5 Josh Cuggy, 6 David Griggs, 7 Sam Treharne, 8 Huw Thomas

Beddau; 15 Callum Wheeler (Tom Geere), 14 James Grainger (Tomos Preece), 13 Adam Ashford, 12 Lewis Egal, 11 Iwan Dawes, 10 Hywel Chatham, 9 Jack Secher, 1 Ben Stephens, 2 Matthew Howells, 3 Ben Jones (Ben Lee), 4 Glenn Slater, 5 Ben White (captain), 6 Tom Axenderrie, 7 Greg Morgan, 8 Jack Perkins (Josh Thomas)

Referee Mr Dylan Llyr Jones