Law returned to his former club last summer after winning two Challenge Cups and a Premiership title with Cardiff and has dramatically altered the fortunes of the ‘Was, who are also top of Championship East and on course to pull off a league and cup double.
“He’s not very quiet behind closed doors,” joked Dacey on Law’s supposed quiet demeanour after Dacey was named as the Go Compare Man of the Match.
“He’s been absolutely amazing for the club. He’s obviously very knowledgeable being where he’s been in the past with the clubs he’s coached.
“But he gets the best out of everyone, not one player will put the Bedwas jersey on this year and not know he’s has to put 100% in otherwise you’re looking at bench spots or not being involved at all.
“Anything short of 7/10, which he likes to say, you know you’re not up to standard.”
Bedwas skipper Dale Rogers pick up the Championship Cup from WRU President Terry Cobner. Pic: WRU
Veteran wing Aaron Billingham, at 39 the oldest player on the field, had won a Cup winners medal with Swansea in the past and picked up two tries in the first half to guide Bedwas to their victory.
“It means the world to us. We’ve worked so hard all season, dug in deep, and the coaches have been brilliant,” he said.
“What an outcome, it’s all been worth it. Fair play to Bridgend, they really put us to the sword and while we expected a tough game, they forced us to dug deep before coming up with the result.
“It’s always good to get over the whitewash, but I was just there to finish them off. It was a team effort.”
It was the second time in as many years that Bridgend Athletic had reached Principality Stadium and once again they left empty handed.
That said, they played a huge part in a thrilling contest and wing Mackenzie Grey helped himself to a hat trick of tries.
But their bad luck began in the warm-up when skipper Jonathan Phillips ruled himself out of the match after failing to overcome a hamstring injury.
“I picked up a hamstring injury last Saturday. I joined training on Tuesday and Thursday, but it wasn’t great,” said Phillips.
“I tried my best but unfortunately it wasn’t right today. I had to sit this one out and it was painful watching from the sidelines.”
Mackenzie Grey scored a hat-trick of tries for Bridgend Athletic. Pic: WRU
Bedwas’ quest for a league and cup double continued after their victory over Bridgend Athletic at the ‘Go Compare Road to Principality 2026’ series.
It meant another defeat at the Principality Stadium for the Athletic after losing 30-29 to Caernarfon in the Division 1 final last year.
The Athletic took the lead in the 13th minute after a half break from centre Brown was carried on before wing Grey went over for the game’s first try.
It took four minutes for the ‘Was to reply as wing Billingham finished off a brilliant score. It was started by a great run from fullback Tristan Kugler, who broke through the Athletic defence before sending Billingham racing to the corner for a try converted by Dixon.
Athletic scrum half Evan D’Adamo kicked his side ahead with a penalty in the 22nd minute to give his side the lead once again, only for Dacey to put his team back in front following a Bedwas maul
Brown continued to impress as he kicked and scored his side’s second try, with D’Adamo giving his side the lead for a third time with the conversion.
Bedwas had the final say of the half as wing Billingham scored his second out wide as they stretched the Athletic defence. Dixon continued his good form with a conversion from the right touchline on the stroke of half time.
Dixon had two attempts at goal during the second half, but only one was successful before the crucial score came in the 65th minute with a penalty try from a strong ‘Was scrum. That also resulted in a yellow card for Bridgend Athletic’s prop Ben Owen.
Athletic wing Grey intercepted a pass and ran in from 80 metres for his second try. He then went on to notch his hat trick in the game’s final play after Bedwas centre Peters scored to make sure of the result.
Scorers: Bedwas: Tries: Aaron Billingham 2, Mike Dacey, Pen Try, Rhys Peters; Con: James Dixon 3, James Hallett; Pen: James Dixon. Bridgend Athletic: Tries: McKenzie Grey 3, Gabriel Brown; Cons: Evan D’Adamo 3; Pen: Evan D’Adamo
TEAMS
Bedwas: Tristan Kugler; Adam Williams, Rhys Peters, Jake Lee, Aaron Billingham; James Dixon, Luke Crane; Brynley Toms, Mike Dacey, Jordan Rogers, Ben Sier, Harry Oliver, Rhys Morgans, Ben Eedy, Dale Rogers (captain)
Reps: Arwel Hughes, Harri Dobbs, Rhys Hutcherson, Lloyd Jones, Owen Jones, Will Fishlock, James Hallett, Hamish Anderson
Bridgend Athletic: AN Other; McKenzie Grey, Rhys Ward Jones, Gabriel Brown, Jakob Williams; Oliver Olds, Evan D’Adamo; Matthew Norman, Lee Murphy, Ben Owen, Adam Evans, Ben Cording, Kalafi Molitika, Hakeen Mumine, Iestyn Merriman
Reps: Oliver Donaghue, McKenzie Scales, Matthew Greenman, Tom Morgan, Dan O’Sullivan, Cameron Thomas, Charlie Hancock, Joe Patterson
