WHEN Blaenavon met Bedlinog at the recreation ground last Saturday they appeared to visibly wilt in the autumn sunshine as Bedlinog put them to the sword in a fast and demanding match.

Having not played Bedlinog for several years Blaenavon approached this game with some caution, as the foxes have beat some very tasty opposition of late.

Blaenavon started well up the slope, holding the much bigger opposition pack in the scrum and competing well in the line out, with Matthew Billings and Blaine Meek winning some excellent ball for scrum half Ryan Bates.

Some good tactical kicking by Captain Dan Phillips had Bedlinog pinned in their own 25 metre line for long periods, but the visitors’ defence was superb and even with fullback Richard Dennington and wingers Nicky Williams and Matthew Powell coming into the line, the Bedlinog lines appeared impenetrable.

Bedlinog on the other hand slotted over two penalties and a try to make it 13-0 after 30 minutes.

Blaenavon started the second half downhill, hoping that the bigger Bedlinog pack would blow up, but although the home team were driving them with some good work by Owen Howells, Zack Hadley and Sam Evans in the front row, the Blaenavon back row couldn’t gain the advantage due to excellent work by the Bedlinog number eight.

Although Blaenavon did get a few penalties they were too long range for Darren Pearce to do any damage.

The back row of Wayne Redman, Chris ‘Slogger’ Baldwin and Callum Davis worked well in containing the Bedlinog pack, with some big runs by Sam Cooke and Matthew Billings. Alas the inevitable missed tackle allowed Bedlinog in for their second try, 20-0.

Some last ditch big tackles by Evan Ash and Wayne Redman, thwarted the foxes on numerous occasions, and when Matthew Billings intercepted a pass from the Bedlinog centre to run 90 metres and score, both Blaenavon’s hopes and spirits lifted a little before they were cruelly dashed against the rocks of the foxes’ constant attack.

Bedlinog were not to be denied, and after relentless pressure they scored their third try to make it 7-27.

Next week Blaenavon travel to Brecon for a 1.30pm kick-off, ahead of the England/Wales clash at Twickenham.