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Bedwas 42-24 Cross Keys, WRU National Championship, Saturday April 15
Bedwas scored two tries in the last ten minutes to clinch a bonus-point win over Cross Keys in a feisty Caerphilly County Borough derby at the Bridgefield.
The hosts started the game on the front foot, with Lloyd Wilkins making an early break. However, he injured himself in the process and was replaced by Jack Guy – who opened the scoring with a 13th minute try.
James Dixon scored the conversion to give Bedwas a 7-0 lead.
Guy looked to have doubled his and his side’s tally for the game soon after, but the try was ruled out due to a forward pass.
The Keys hit back with some sustained pressure and were rewarded when back-row Will Gregory scored their first try of the afternoon, converted by Adam Tetley.
But the visitors’ joy was short-lived, as Harvey Reader was yellow-carded. The ensuing lineout saw the Bedwas pack drive Mike Dacey over the try-line to regain the lead. However, Dixon’s conversion went wide.
Three minutes later, Dacey repeated the feat to put Bedwas further into the lead – with Dixon redeeming himself with the successful conversion.
Shortly after, Bedwas were reduced to 14 men when Harry Oliver was sent to the sin bin.
Deep into stoppage time, the Keys made the most of the advantage and were awarded a penalty try – but no yellow cards were shown.
The sides returned from the half-time break with Bedwas leading 19-14. However, it wasn’t the best start to the second half for the hosts, who were reduced to 13 players when Rhys Hutcherson was yellow carded for throwing punches.
Cross Keys made their advantage count almost immediately, with winger Tom Davies crossing for a try, which was converted by Tetley to put the visitors ahead for the first time.
Bedwas responded by regaining the lead through a Dixon penalty, but Tetley restored Keys’ two-point advantage by landing a successful penalty kick of his own.
The lead changed hands again however when Dixon scored another penalty, giving Bedwas a 25-24 advantage.
At this stage there looked no clear winner, with both teams locked in a tightly-fought contest.
But the game fell Bedwas’ way, with Jonathan Armitage crashing through for a try. Dixon’s conversion gave Bedwas an eight-point cushion.
The lead looked to have been increased further when Jacob Wright crossed for a Bedwas try, but it was ruled out for a foot in touch.
A few moments later, Aaron Billingham raced through for a Bedwas try before Dixon slotted home the extra two points.
The match was hit by ill-discipline once again before the final whistle blew, with Cross Keys’ Connah Vaughan shown a yellow for an off-the-ball incident.
Dixon converted the ensuing penalty to wrap up a 42-24 win for Bedwas.
Defeat means Cross Keys drop to seventh in the WRU National Championship, one place ahead of Bedwas, who remain eighth.
The Keys return to action when they host Narberth on Saturday April 22, with the game kicking off at 2.30pm.
Bedwas travel to Bargoed on Tuesday April 25 for a 7.30pm kick-off.
Match report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC
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