Bargoed RFC dominate Cross Keys in the battle of the borough

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Bargoed 34-7 Cross Keys, WRU National Championship

Bargoed RFC beat local rivals Cross Keys over the weekend in an all-Caerphilly County Borough clash.

Bargoed welcomed the fourth-placed Keys to Bargoed Park in a battle between two sides who were both on winning streaks in the WRU National Championship.

After a nervy start from both sides, it was Bargoed who opened the scoring with a penalty kick from Steff Jones.

Bargoed increased their lead when hooker Wade Langley scored from an effective driving lineout. 

Cross Keys were struggling to apply pressure to the hosts, as Bargoed dominated and Keys conceded a series of penalties. 

Bargoed scored again with a try from Tom Rice to lead 15-0 at half time.

The second half saw Bargoed make some changes with Lewys Lippiett replacing Wade Langley.

Lippiett made an immediate impact, profiting from yet another Bargoed lineout which allowed the substitute to barrel his away over the line. Jones kicked the extras and the hosts led 22-0.

Cross Keys finally got on the board after Walker Price tapped down in the corner to make the score 22-7.

The visitors continued to put the pressure on for large spells of the second half, but some good defence by the hosts kept the Keys out.

Bargoed made a host of tactical substitutions late in the game, which appeared to kill the visitors momentum.

The penultimate try for Bargoed saw some good build up play from Matthew Lewis and Keegan Bale who put James Leadbeater over to score after 77 minutes.

From the kick off, Bargoed managed to get the ball back quickly as they drove yet another lineout, enabling Lippiett to score his second try of the day and secure Bargoed the bonus-point win. Full time result 34-7.

The win sees Bargoed remain third in the table with 29 points – three points behind league leaders Neath, while Cross Keys drop to sixth with 21 points.

Bargoed return to action on Saturday, November 12 when they face second-placed Pontypool away from home. Cross Keys meanwhile take on Bedwas in another all-Caerphilly County Borough affair.