Bedwas RFC v Newport RFC – 8th August 2026 by John Evans
Following a busy summer at the club, it was time to start the pre-season preparations properly with a visit to our friends at Bedwas RFC. Now that they are back under the stewardship of Steve Law, The Bridge Field side had a successful season last year and will be back locking horns with the likes of Pontypridd, Neath, and Merthyr this season, so getting game time was important for both squads.
Driving up the A468, it was notable that lots of fields were yellow in colour, especially Machen RFC’s pitches. No such worries with Bedwas; whilst it wasn’t a lush green carpet, it has certainly benefitted from some TLC. As has been the pattern this summer, the conditions were warm and still, with some cloud cover taking the glare out of the light.
Will Ford, making his first appearance in Black & Amber, got the game underway and Newport were on the attack immediately. Tiger Chatham and Garin Harris carried hard and a cheeky pass by flanker Gethyn Cannon almost unlocked the home defence, but Newport were tackled into touch. However, they came up with the ball from the lineout, Garin Harris volunteering to do the carrying again before Chay Foster-Smith found a half-gap and put Tom Hoppe away for the game’s opening score. Will Ford added the conversion to make it Bedwas 0 Newport 7 with just 2 minutes played.
A poor restart by Bedwas’ James Dixon gave Newport the chance of a scrum over the centre spot but poor handling let the opportunity slip. Bedwas wanted to show what they were about, and quick hands across the line had alarm bells ringing in the Newport defence, but a super tackle on winger Leo Geraci forced the knock on. The Black & Ambers tried running from deep, Kobi Rees being influential, gaining a penalty as Bedwas went off their feet at the tackle. Will Ford kicked to the Bedwas 22 and worked hard to position themselves, but a needless penalty conceded undid all the effort.
Debutant winger Stef Davies found himself isolated and he had little option but to concede a penalty for hanging onto the ball. It was time for Newport’s defensive drills to be tested. The impacts were juddering and relentless, but an excellent pass to home fullback Tristan Kugler saw him stand the defence up and glide in for a well-taken try. Dixon added the two to equalise the scores at 7 points apiece on 14 minutes.
Bedwas regained possession far too easily from a maul and made a platform to launch their big men from, but a pass between hooker Arwel Hughes and second row Ben Sier went astray allowing Newport to respond quickly. The approach work was solid but the final pass to wing Stef Davies was behind him and the opportunity melted away.
An outstanding rolling maul by Newport inched them closer to the Bedwas line, but the limp pass that resulted did Chay Foster-Smith no favours and he was swallowed up. Bedwas belted the ball clear, Lucas Welsh scurrying back in defence, but the bounce outfoxed him and the red and green jersey-ed hosts were back in the driving seat. Just as they were about to pull the trigger, Noah Morgan popped up and intercepted. However, the referee, Amber Stamp-Dunstan judged that he was offside. A brief break for drinks and we were back underway; a Bedwas scrum was the platform to attack from, but Newport infringed in defence again. James Dixon popped the ball into the corner, Ben Sier tipping the ball back on his side but again Newport were at fault. Dixon went to the opposite corner, and a solid maul saw home number 8 Ben Eedy power across. Dixon added the conversion to make it Bedwas 14 Newport 7 with 28 minutes played.
Newport tried to respond, Tom Hoppe getting the wheels in motion. Stef Davies made his presence felt before a naughty little pass by prop Ed Thompson kept the move alive. Lucas Welsh was directing play, pulling runners around him for Tiger Chatham to cross, only to be called as ‘held up’ by the referee. Newport had a penalty advantage, but the execution wasn’t the best and Bedwas got hands around the ball to spoil.
Garin Harris and Lucas Welsh were replaced on 36 minutes by Luke Yendle and Monty Jones, respectively. However, soon after came the sight that nobody wanted to see. Bedwas centre Jake Lee stayed down following a tackle. Both sets of medical teams rushed to his aid, but it was clear that it was a serious leg injury. Play was stopped as the young man was removed on a stretcher and the referee, wisely, decided that was enough for now and blew for halftime. Everyone at Newport RFC wishes Jake Lee all the best in his recovery and hope that he’s back on the field as soon as possible.
Half Time: Bedwas RFC 14 Newport RFC 7
Bedwas restarted, Newport responded by kicking long. Bedwas managed to overthrow the lineout, Newport manoeuvring themselves up to the Bedwas 22. Sadly, the ball was spilled in attack and Tristan Kugler’s long kick was outstanding as it became a 50:22 lineout option. The Bedwas attack was blunt, though, as Newport successfully marshalled them across the line before finally tackling them into the corner. However, their main weapon was, again, their lineout and it was easy for former Newport RFC favourite Dale Rogers to cross and extend the hosts’ lead. Janes Dixon was unerring from the tee to make it Bedwas 21 Newport 7 with 45 minutes played.
The introduction of Carwyn Penny and Wade Langley was a turning point for Newport; the attacks were instantly more threatening and precise as they stiffened the team’s resolve. Cerrig Smith did well to retrieve a loose ball and then earn a penalty as Bedwas sealed off at the tackle. Will Ford pumped Newport to the corner, Wade Langley held the ball on his hip, briefly, before Monty Jones fired it away, leading to an arcing run from Carwyn Penny to cross out wide. The conversion went wide to make the score Bedwas 21 Newport 12 on 52 minutes.
New signing second row Ethan Phillips showed good awareness as he kept a move going forward before putting in a neat kick to touch. Interesting touches from the big man.
Newport were gaining momentum, wing Theo McKerrow getting through a lot of work and getting himself involved. The team’s intensity was increasing before a pass out still left McKerrow a lot to do, but with creditable determination, he powered through and scored the try that the move deserved. This made the score Bedwas 21 Newport 19 with 58 minutes played.
Newport went up a gear following the second half hydration break as Bedwas appeared to be waning. Noah Morgan bagged himself a try following some neat interpassing between Cerrig Smith and Alfy Johnson in the backrow. The ball went wide leaving space for Morgan to sprint in to score. Bedwas 21 Newport 24 on 63 minutes.
Bedwas were being stretched in defence before Tom Hoppe broke through with Noah Morgan steaming up in support. The pass out was good but with creditable determination, Bedwas had a defender in pursuit who tackled Noah Morgan forcing him to spill the ball forward.
With a penalty awarded, Will Ford went to the corner again. Wade Langley found Cerrig Smith at the top of the lineout. Prop Nathan Davies had a rumble, but it was big Joe Peard who bullied his way through, got an arm over the tackler to crash down and score near the posts. Will Ford nailed the two-pointer to give the score a nice sheen that looked unlikely 25 minutes earlier. Bedwas 21 Newport 31 on 71 minutes.
Bedwas weren’t for lying down, though. They had several decent forays into Newport territory, former Newport RFC player, and crowd favourite, Luke Crane kept play moving, but the Black & Amber shutters were pulled down firmly, Carwyn Penny firing the ball long. Bedwas had one last opportunity, but the ball went to ground. Tom Hoppe hacked clear and gave chase, but the ball reached the dead ball line before he could get to it.
Full Time: Bedwas RFC 21 Newport RFC 31
All of us at Newport RFC wish to thank Bedwas RFC for their hospitality and wish them good luck in the WRU Premiership this season. The Black & Ambers pre-season fixtures continue with a trip to Guernsey to face Guernsey Raiders in St. Peter Port next Saturday before returning to Wales to face Beddau on Saturday August 22nd. The league then starts on Saturday September 12th when we host RGC at Newport Stadium. Season Tickets for Newport RFC are on sale now! https://blackandambers.co.uk/2026-27-ticket-prices . There are also plenty of sponsorship opportunities available for the coming season. If you’d like to know more, please email Kevin Jarvis at commercial@newportrfc.co.uk .
Onwards and upwards Newport.
Your City. Your Colours. Your Club
#cotp
Final Score – Bedwas RFC 21 Newport RFC 31