Prior to the kick off, those who witnessed the game could well have been forgiven for believing this would just be one of those season finales, with the players just going through the motions. However, the large Beddau contingent who made their way to Rumney were treated to a feast of running rugby, which even the most pessimistic of supporters must have been suitably impressed by the quality of this performance. Commendations must also go to the home side that played their part in this game.

With half backs Cai Jenkins and Callum Wheeler, both 16 year olds, orchestrating matters from behind a solid pack, the writing was on the wall from early on in this game. Both belied their years with mature performances and with Callum benefiting from quick ball, ably supplied by his scrum half partner Cai, he dictated play throughout this game.
The first try came following a break by the powerful centre, Rhys Lott, who stayed on his feet long enough in contact, to offload to full back Tomos Preece, who ran in from 40 metres to score beneath the posts making the conversion for Callum Wheeler a formality.

The game remained fairly tight with Rumney scoring a well worked try of their own to reduce the deficit to 2 points.

However on the half hour the game exploded into life with 3 quick fire tries by the young Beddau side, which effectively took the game away from Rumney. The first was one straight from the training ground with a midfield miss move resulting in Tomos Preece once again crossing close to the posts and Callum Wheeler duly obliged with the extra 2 points.

Two minutes later the Beddau side went on the attack again with a break by the impressive Rhys Lott, who fed fleet footed wingman James Davies. Just when it looked as if the defence had drifted across to cover he stepped inside both opposite wing and full back to score beside the posts. Callum Wheeler once again added the conversion.

With half time nearing the Beddau side could have taken their foot off the gas but that was the last thing on their mind as they set off from within their own half. Quick ruck ball meant the break was on and Luke John made for the gap and stayed strong once tackled. The ball was offloaded to Callum Wheeler who ran in under the posts to make certain of the conversion. The whistle to end the half came soon after with the away side 28-5 to the good. The half time team talk warned of the need to be aware that the home side would come out all guns blazing for the second period.

This indeed proved to be the case and following good approach play the Rumney side scored in the corner to reduce the deficit to 18 points. What followed was a period of Rumney pressure. Substitutions for the away side were the order of the day and saw Rhys Lott, Callum O’Sullivan, Tom Owen, Hemi Barnes and Luke John replaced by Jordan Odgers, LUKE JONES, Joe Popple, Mitchell Chivers and James Cumpston respectively. The changes seemed to do the trick as tired players who had worked hard for the cause were replaced by fresh legs.

Twenty minutes into the half saw arguably, the try of the season. A sustained onslaught on the Beddau line saw Rumney unfortunately spill the ball in contact and a relieving scrum awarded to the defending side. A chance now to clear the lines and regroup? Not on your life! From the scrum won beneath the shadow of the posts, the impressive scrum half Cai Jenkins set off on a run, before handing over to Callum Wheeler who danced through the defensive line and sent a pass to the support player, Jordan Odgers. Making good ground he put James Davies in space with a well timed pass and as the defending full back seemed to cut off the wingman’s path to the line, he in turn, passed back inside to Jordan Odgers, who had continued his run to support the play, who scored wide out. A try straight out of the Barbarians text book.

With the game effectively over at 33-10, this may have been the time to take a breather and wind down till the final whistle. However this try seemed to spur on the side and they scented further scores. It was now time for the forwards to show their skills. The ball was worked out wide to the hard working hooker, Ethan Coombes. Not content with taking the ball up and linking with the pack, he set off on a 30 metre run that was to take him to the line. In the process this talented player threw the most outrageous of dummies to outwit the covering defence and there was much celebration following the score.

The clock ticked on to the 70 minute mark and one final opportunity to add to the scoreboard. This time the ball was worked across field to the elusive winger James Davies who evaded the tackler to score in the corner.

This huge win was probably a long time in coming but was just reward for the team, Coaches Barnes and Edwards, Team Manager Mal O’Sullivan and physio Marty Dobbins.

The Beddau faithful went away purring after this victory and now look forward to next season when maybe this young side can challenge for honours. Certainly on this showing who would bet against them?