Match Reports 2008/9
Tredegar (20) Bedlinog (13)
February 21st 2009
Tredegar v Bedlinog Video Highlights.
Tredegar RFC put a pep in their step when they defeated promotion chasing rivals Bedlinog at the Rec. This top of the table clash saw Tredegar extend their lead to head the Division with second placed Bedlinog providing the drama, kicking a last gasp penalty in the final minute snatching a losing bonus point.
Tredegar looked a little rusty in the opening quarter having had very little game time so far this year due to the weather and Bedlinog took advantage of a sloppy lineout to steal the ball. Geraint Edmunds got the first try after just 4 minutes and a well struck conversion by Richard Heath saw the visitors lead seven nil after a short passage of play. Tredegar showed true grit and performance and gradually exerted pressure up front with Jack Dawson and Joe Campbell always to the fore.
With a rock solid performance from Sullivan, Osborne and captain Paul Edwards in the front row the Tredegar pack gained ascendancy. A penalty apiece from Greg Jones and Heath was followed by a stirling run by winger Damien Smith who was unlucky not to score but from the resulting scrum, number 8 David Ford crashed over and with Greg Jones converting, the home team levelled the scores.
With the Tredegar pack destroying the visitors eight in the set piece, Damien Smith always had the beating of his opposite number and deserved to get on the score sheet. A well struck penalty by Greg Jones saw Tredegar lead by 3 points at the interval.
Tredegar could have been the architect of their own downfall when they had Dave Ford, Wayne Simms and Joe Campbell all yellow carded in the second half and despite giving their promotion rivals superiority in numbers for 30 minutes in the second half the character of the Tredegar team dispelled any attack the visitors could muster.
With Tredegar pressing during this period Daffyd James split the defence and with exeptional pace rounded his opposite number to touch down under the posts leaving Jones with the easiest of conversions. Whilst Tredegar have the best defensive record in the league they did well to prevent the visitors scoring whilst they were depleted but a last minute penalty by Heath was greeted by a slow handclap as the visitors salvaged a losing bonus point.
Tredegar are still on course for promotion but a more disciplined approach must be taken on the run in to ensure they reap the rewards they deserve. Next Saturday Tredegar are away to Ynysybwl in a rearranged fixture.