With the Premiership now split into two Tiers, and the top four of the top eight set to play off for the title of Champions, every match is now a cup match with victory the only target. While Ebbw Vale might be rueing missed opportunities and pointing to dominance of territory and position, Bedwas will point to excellent defence and the ever-accurate boot of Richard Powell: if ever there was an object lesson in taking your chances, this was it.

On the plus side, the games only two tries came from the Steelmen. The first, late in the first half, was a classic Catch’n’Kynes, converted by Josh Lewis to take Ebbw past Bedwas at 7-3. A long Powell effort sent the teams in at 7-6, with all to play for.

It was interesting that both packs enjoyed scrummaging success, each pushing the other back at various times (and each earning penalties). Penalties against Ebbw were all converted by Powell, and his team led 15-7 in the final quarter. Cameron Regan, in his first appearance since last season’s Premiership Final, was at the top of his game and caused problems for the opposition all afternoon, while Jonathan Davies, a second half replacement for skipper Damien Hudd, was also prominent. Chances came, but weren’t taken, until Jack Goodey latched onto a loose line out ball and pounced to score. Lewis’s conversion went wide, and, despite an absolute pounding in the last five minutes, Bedwas held on to take the win.

Ebbw will have to be at their very best to beat Aberavon at ECP on Friday night.

Dan Haymond, Nathan Preece, Gareth Maule, Dominic Franchi, James Lewis; Josh Lewis, Dai Jones; Ian George, Joe Franchi, Rob Sevenoaks; Damien Hudd (capt), Joe Bartlett; Rhys Clarke, Ronny Kynes, Cameron Regan.
Bench: Jonny Bowen, Ross Jones, Gethin Robinson, Jonathan Davies, Jack Goodey, Dawid Rubasniak, Srdan Majkic, Robert Lewis.

Chwarae bob gêm fel gêm yn y cwpan yw’r nôd, ar ôl i’r Uwchgynghrair gael ei rannu’n ddau, a dim ond saith gêm i ddod. Yn anffodus, mae ennill gemau yn y cwpan yn dibynnu ar gymryd pob cyfle ac, yn hynny o beth, roedd Bedwas yn fwy llwyddianus na Glynebwy. Ciciodd maswr Richard Powell yn gywir trwy’r gêm, a’i 15 pwynt yn rhoi mantais ddigonol i’w dîm.

Sgoriodd Glynebwy dau gais – y gyntaf yn glasur o ‘Catch’n’Kynes’ a’r ail i eilydd o wythwr, Jack Goodey yn hwyr yn yr ail hanner. Bu Cameron Regan, yn ei gêm gyntaf ers Mis Mai, yn amlwg iawn yn amddiffyn ac yn ymosod, ac yn hollol haeddu gwobr ‘Seren y Gêm’. Yn anffodus, doedd rhan fwyaf ei gyd-chwaraewyr ddim ar eu gorau, ac roedd amddiffyn, trefn a chymeriad Bedwas yn ddigon cryf i wrthsefyll pob ymgais Glynebwy.

Felly, cychwyn siomedig iawn i Wyr y Dur, ond bydd cyfle i wella’r sefyllfa nos Wener yn erbyn Aberafan.