Cross Keys 31 – 24 Bedwas
Wednesday January 11, Cross Keys
Bedwas’ late scoring charge was in vain as indiscipline and errors proved costly as Keys deservedly took the spoils in the penultimate Fosters Challenge Cup Pool 1 match, but every cloud has a silver lining.
The two bonus points Bedwas gained mean that victory over Newport at Rodney Parade on Wednesday January 18 will secure qualification to the semi-finals of the competition after Keys ensured they would finish in top spot.
Keys were on the board within a minute as fast hands put winger Matthew Powell in for a try. Fly-half James Thomas added the extras.
Bedwas replied within five minutes as centre James S Dixon crossed, but his namesake missed the conversion from the tee.
On the quarter-hour mark, Keys forged ahead as a break by Leon Andrews was finished off by centre colleague Phil Williams. Thomas was again on target with his conversion.
Not to be outdone, Bedwas hit back with a series of close-range scrums before Dan Crimmins was driven over for a try. Dixon successfully converted to bring the scores to 14-12.
However, their joy was short-lived as full-back James McCarthy danced through a dozing Bedwas defence for a try. Thomas missed with his kick for the first time.
Keys put the game to bed shortly after the interval, as hooker Robert Jones crossed for a converted try.
Bedwas rang the changes in a bid to get back into the game but were hampered by a yellow card shown to Rhys Hutcherson for a ruck offence. Home scrum-half Ross Pritchard took advantage to cross for an unconverted try.
Matthew John found space on the left to dive in for a try after the hour mark, before a Tom Bell try gave Bedwas hope of recording an unlikely victory after Dixon’s conversion split the posts.
Chances came, but unforced errors and a yellow card for Crimmins for an off-the-ball incident made it a difficult task, and Keys’ defence held out for a deserved win.
• Match report and photography by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.