Tom Lampard makes 400th Cross Keys appearance in win over Bedwas

Cross Keys second-row Tom Lampard is given a guard of honour by Bedwas ahead of his 400th appearance for the Keys

Cross Keys second-row Tom Lampard marked his 400th appearance for the club with a stoppage time win over Bedwas at Pandy Park on Saturday.

Thirty-six-year-old Lampard, who has played for Cross Keys since 2005, has the second highest number of appearances for the club, behind only the late prop Richie Donovan, who made 412 appearances.

The former Newbridge, Pontllanfraith and Fleur de Lys man captained his side as the Keys clinched their first victory of the season.

The game started at a frantic pace but neither side could find an opening as defences stood strong.

Bedwas took the lead in the 16th minute through winger Josh Edwards, who ran through unopposed to score the first try of the game. Matty Bancroft scored the conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Bedwas' Sam Davies takes on a Cross Keys defender — Bedwas’ Sam Davies takes on a Cross Keys defender

But the Keys struck back four minutes later as Chris Johnsey found space to cross over for a try. Adam Tetley added the conversion to draw the sides level.

The score remained the same going into the half-time interval, with defences coming out on top in the first half.

The hosts got the scoring underway in the second half, taking the lead in the 54th minute when fullback Curtis Povey crossed over for a try. Two extra points were added by the boot of Tetley to give the Keys a seven-point advantage.

The advantage was cut down to two points when Bedwas’ Dafydd Thomas squeezed in at the right-hand corner for a try, with Bancroft’s conversion from an acute angle drawing the sides level once again.

As the clock ticked down, Bancroft kicked a penalty to give Bedwas the lead – but with five minutes of stoppage time played, the Keys dealt their visitors a sucker punch when Lewis Allwood crossed over for the winning try.

Tetley scored the conversion to confirm a 21-17 victory for the Keys – their first of the new season, while Bedwas come away with a losing bonus-point.

Match report and imagery provided by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.