Bedwas beat Cross Keys 22-16 in the Fosters Challenge Cup last night, November 18.
Two early second half tries paved the way for Bedwas to inflict a first defeat in ten games for Keys at a windy, wet Ystrad Mynach centre of excellence.
With the wind swirling and, in the second half, very heavy rain, handling was difficult but both sides should be congratulated for trying to move the ball.
But conditions underfoot were completely the opposite of what one comes to expect thanks to the 4G pitch.
The game started at a thunderous pace with both sides looked to lay down a marker.
Cross Keys opened the scoring on 13 minutes when scrum half Owain Leonard found the space to get over the whitewash for the opening try. Full back Owen Howe added the conversion via a post.
Bedwas upped the pressure and indiscipline saw two yellow cards issued against Cross Keys. Bedwas benefitted almost immediately following the second card as Mike Callow crashed through for a try converted by James Dixon.
Cross Keys hung in with good defence and there were no further scores in the half.
Bedwas made a fast start to the second half. Replacement scrum half Luke Crane took barely a minute to make his mark, following a good tackle bust by Geraint Edmunds the ball was taken on by Kurt Clabby to Crane who crossed for a try. Dixon missed the conversion.
Bedwas suddenly had a spring in their step and Brynley Toms bulldozed through a pile of bodies for the third try, Dixon adding the extras for a 22 points to 6 lead with 53 minutes played.
Keys fought back and this time it was the home side who were heavily penalised with three yellow cards issued between the 57th and 71st minutes to Robson Blake, Ieuan Morris and Gareth Williams.
To their credit Bedwas dug in and Keys could not force an opening until the 72nd minute when fly half Lewys Montague found a gap in the home defence and darted through for a try. Howe again converted.
Bedwas were not going to be denied and took the game to their opponents forcing them to defend for the remainder of the game.
Just before the final whistle a third Cross Keys player was issued with a yellow card and Dixon cleared to touch to bring the match to a conclusion.