Bedwas’ quest for a league and cup double continued after a 38-29 victory over Bridgend Athletic earned them the WRU Championship Cup at the ‘Go Compare Road to Principality 2026’ series.
It meant another defeat at Principality Stadium for the Athletic after losing 30-29 to Caernarfon in the Division 1 final last year, but they more than played their part in a see-saw battle that saw their wing McKenzie Grey score a hat-trick and Gabriel Brown add a fourth try.
But it wasn’t enough to beat the ‘Was, who ran in three first half tries. Wing Aaron Billingham raced over for a brace and Mike Dacey got the other. A penalty from outside half James Dixon, along with a penalty try and a fifth try from centre Rhys Peters, sealed a compelling contest.
The Athletic took the lead in the 13th minute after a half break from centre Brown was carried on before wing Grey went over for the game’s first try.
It took four minutes for the ‘Was to reply as wing Billingham finished off a brilliant score. It was started by a great run from fullback Tristan Kugler, who broke through the Athletic defence before sending Billingham racing to the corner for a try converted by Dixon.
Athletic scrum half Evan D’Adamo kicked his side ahead with a penalty in the 22nd minute to give his side the lead once again, only for Dacey to put his team back in front following a Bedwas maul
Brown continued to impress as he kicked and scored his side’s second try, with D’Adamo giving his side the lead for a third time with the conversion.
Bedwas had the final say of the half as wing Billingham scored his second out wide as they stretched the Athletic defence. Dixon continued his good form with a conversion from the right touchline on the stroke of half time.
Dixon had two attempts at goal during the second half, but only one was successful before the crucial score came in the 65th minute with a penalty try from a strong ‘Was scrum. That also resulted in a yellow card for Bridgend Athletic’s prop Ben Owen.
Athletic wing Grey intercepted a pass and ran in from 80 metres for his second try. He then went on to notch his hat trick in the game’s final play after Bedwas centre Peters scored to make sure of the result.
Scorers: Bedwas: Tries: Aaron Billingham 2, Mike Dacey, Pen Try, Rhys Peters; Con: James Dixon 3, James Hallett; Pen: James Dixon. Bridgend Athletic: Tries: McKenzie Grey 3, Gabriel Brown; Cons: Evan D’Adamo 3; Pen: Evan D’Adamo
TEAMS
Bedwas: Tristan Kugler; Adam Williams, Rhys Peters, Jake Lee, Aaron Billingham; James Dixon, Luke Crane; Brynley Toms, Mike Dacey, Jordan Rogers, Ben Sier, Harry Oliver, Rhys Morgans, Ben Eedy, Dale Rogers (captain)
Reps: Arwel Hughes, Harri Dobbs, Rhys Hutcherson, Lloyd Jones, Owen Jones, Will Fishlock, James Hallett, Hamish AndersonBridgend Athletic: AN Other; McKenzie Grey, Rhys Ward Jones, Gabriel Brown, Jakob Williams; Oliver Olds, Evan D’Adamo; Matthew Norman, Lee Murphy, Ben Owen, Adam Evans, Ben Cording, Kalafi Molitika, Hakeen Mumine, Iestyn Merriman
Reps: Oliver Donaghue, McKenzie Scales, Matthew Greenman, Tom Morgan, Dan O’Sullivan, Cameron Thomas, Charlie Hancock, Joe Patterson
GO COMPARE MAN OF THE MATCH
