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Cross Keys 50-7 Bedwas, WRU National Championship

Cross Keys hit the 50-point mark as they demolished Caerphilly County Borough rivals Bedwas.

The Keys scored eight tries to secure a 50-7 bonus-point win at Pandy Park on Saturday, November 12.

It was the heaviest defeat in recent memory for Bedwas.

The Keys opened the scoring on a mild Autumn afternoon as young winger Walker Price showed his pace to finish off a move into the Bedwas half. Adam Tetley added the conversion.

After falling behind, Bedwas were dealt a blow when winger Hamish Anderson was forced off with injury. He was replaced by Jacob Wright, who normally plays at scrum-half.

The lead was extended shortly after. A penalty was kicked to touch and a driving maul was set up following the lineout. The maul was driven across the line from 25 metres out, with hooker Connah Vaughan being awarded the try. Tetley again added the extras.

The Keys increased their lead to 21-0 at around the half hour mark, with Price cutting through a static defence to touch down for his second try of the afternoon. Again, Tetley made no mistake from the kicking tee.

Bedwas pulled a try back before half-time, with scrum-half Callaghan Smith taking a quick tap penalty and touching down close the the touchline. James Hallett scored the conversion with a difficult kick out wide.

But another Bedwas player – this time flanker Rhys Jones – was forced off with injury. He was replaced by Lewis Crane before the break, with Bedwas trailing 21-7.

A slow start to the second half ensued, with no scored registered until the hour mark – when the Keys scored their fourth try through Harri Ackerman to secure a bonus point.

The conversion went unconverted, but Ackerman soon added his second try, which Morgan Johns sent sailing through the posts. Cross Keys now led 33-7.

With defeat all but confirmed, Bedwas collapsed and shipped three tries in the final ten minutes as Cameron Davies got himself onto the scoresheet, while team mate Duane Thomas scored twice – rounding off a resounding victory.

The victory sees the Keys move up to fourth in the table with 26 points from eight games, while Bedwas drop to seventh on 22 points.

Bedwas will look to bounce back when they face in-form Bargoed away at 7.15pm on Thursday, November 24.

The Keys meanwhile face a trip to Narberth on Saturday, December 3, with the game kicking off at 2.30pm.

Match report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC