Nap Hand Of Victories As Injury Concerns Mount

This was a far from bloodless victory for Beddau who, despite a bright and confident start were knocked out of their stride by the force of the Skewen fight-back. Injuries to key personnel didn`t help but the second half display carried none of the cohesion that had seen them surge to a 22-0 lead at the interval.

In the early stages Skewen were hanging on by dint of a series of offences but Beddau, playing with more pace and accuracy found a way through when some quickly recycled ball sped through midfield with Joe Casella releasing right wing Morgan Williams. With his route blocked the winger found left wing Cody Baker on the overlap for a try converted by Hywel Chatham.
Beddau`s dominance was almost absolute and a second try looked inevitable. Skewen`s full back tackled the intended pass recipient before the ball arrived and was sent to the bin. From the scrum, Beddau drove Skewen back then scrum half Carl Lewis got the backs quickly into action and Cody Baker, this time on the left touchline, scored his second try. This one went unconverted.

When Skewen briefly entered Beddau territory they made a hash of a lineout. Beddau hooker Jack Dando seized the loose ball and threw a pass to Lewis Egal who had run a superb angle. The centre had enough gas to reach the line some 60 metres away. As happens so often the chasing defender saw a need to crash into the body of the try-scorer and as Egal was in the act of rising his knee took the impact and he was unable to continue.

An ugly incident soured the atmosphere when a quite unacceptable challenge on Hywel Chatham left the Beddau outside half in need of extensive treatment. Skewen`s right wing Andrew Collins was dismissed but in the space of a few short moments Beddau had lost two influential members of the midfield. Adam Ashford had already come on for Lewis Egal and now scrum half David Francis replaced Hywel Chatham. The rejig saw Francis line up on the left wing with Cody Baker moving to full back to allow Callum Wheeler to take over the pivot`s duties. Wheeler duly landed the penalty to make it 22-0 at the interval.

From the outset, the second half took on a different appearance. A revitalised Skewen were now calling the shots and Beddau captain Lloyd Evans was yellow-carded at a pile-up. Skewen instantly claimed the dividend when outside half Anthony Buselli neatly stepped inside a tackle for a good try that he also converted.

Somewhat against the run of play Beddau conjured a try. A collision forced a hasty pass by Skewen. David Francis had read it and though still having a lot to do was able to make it to the corner. Callum Wheeler`s touchline conversion restored the breathing space.

A rumbling advance by Skewen`s forwards resulted in a try for scrum half Kieran Kirkhouse which Anthony Buselli converted but despite a rush of endeavour Skewen were unable to force their way through a defiant Beddau. When replacement Jordan Goodwin was forced to leave after an unfortunate collision Beddau had emptied the bench and were forced to play out the closing minutes with 14 men. This was aggravated when the limping open side Leon Rogers was also not able to continue. Somehow Beddau`s six-man pack won a convincing scrum and Carl Lewis was able to kick the ball away.

Report by Lynn West