Bedwas cinched a narrow 20-15 win over Cross Keys on Saturday, March 2 to boost their hopes of Principality Premiership survival.
The win sees Bedwas stay one place above the relegation zone, while Cross Keys are in 14th place, six points adrift of safety but with a game in hand over Bedwas.
Cross Keys fullback Carwyn Penny opened the scoring at the Bridgefield with a penalty kick in the fourth minute.
Ten minutes later, Bedwas fullback Joseph Scrivens levelled the scores after a successful penalty attempt.
But the Keys took the lead once more through a try from outside-half Iwan Burgwin.
Burgwin won the race to touch down under the posts after his side capitalised on a mistake in the Bedwas midfield.
Penny’s conversion gave the visitors a 10-3 lead half way through the first half.
But Bedwas battled to get back into the game and were handed a boost when Keys centre Dylan Fidler was sent to the sin bin for a no arms tackle.
A step and break from Bedwas’ Jonathan Armitage set up Luke Crane to charge through and dive in for a try.
Scrivens levelled the scores once more from the conversion.
The teams went into the changing rooms at half time with the score 10-10.
The hosts started the second half brightly, with winger Jordan Rees breaking through a tackle to sprint in for a try.
With the wind at his back, Scrivens made no mistake with the conversion attempt to give Bedwas a seven point lead.
Bedwas continued to attack but it was the visitors who scored next.
Atoning for his earlier yellow card, Fidler went from villain to hero as he crashed over the line for a try.
Penny’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful, which kept Bedwas in the lead with ten minutes remaining.
Bedwas continued to press and with four minutes to play, a penalty kick from Scrivens increased Bedwas’ lead to five points.
The home side held on for a crucial win in their bid to stay up, while Cross Keys remain in the relegation zone.
Bedwas return to Principality Premiership action on Friday, March 8 when fellow-relegation battlers Llanelli visit the Bridgefield.
Cross Keys are also in action on Friday, March 8, taking on Pontypridd at Pandy Park.
Report and imagery courtesy of Ian Lovell.