Cross Keys have beaten Glamorgan Wanderers at Pandy Park to advance to the second round of the WRU National Cup.
Two tries from centre Corey Nicholls and a late try from replacement Ian Newbury sealed a narrow 22-21 win on Saturday, September 14.
The Keys started positively but conceded the first try of the game when Rob Evans intercepted a pass and played in Ray Bishop, who raced in under the posts to give the Ely-based side the lead.
A Paul Short conversion added two points to the scoreboard for the visitors.
Kieran Hill got the Keys’ first points of the game, scoring a penalty to reduce the deficit to 7-3.
But the Wanderers went further ahead when Will Adams Jones found space out wide to score after his side won a lineout.
Short converted and the Wanderers went 14-3 ahead.
The Keys responded by scoring their first try of the game through Nicholls in the 25th minute of the game.
Kieran Hill converted and the difference between the two sides was cut to just four points.
The Keys took the lead for the first time when Nicholls scored his second try of the afternoon after 33 minutes.
Hill missed the conversion but the Keys were now one point ahead.
The Wanderers were dealt a blow when try-scorer Bishop was forced off through injury to be replaced by Phil Pariyo.
The sides went into the break with the Keys leading 15-14.
The second half got underway and the Keys missed a penalty, denying them the chance to extend their lead.
The visitors broke their way into the Keys’ 22 metre area and regained the lead when substitute Pariyo scored a try.
The Wanderers went 21-15 in front through a conversion by Short.
After going ahead, the Wanderers had the chance to increase their lead, but Short’s penalty kick went wide.
The Keys were then awarded a scrum and launched an attack close to their opponents’ line.
Play after play, the Keys pushed for a winning try deep into injury time.
The visitors’ defence held out until Keys replacement Newbury barged over the line to bring the Keys within a point of the next round of the cup.
Up stepped Hill to take the conversion, with his side’s cup run hanging in the balance.
The ball sailed through the posts to seal a 22-21 victory for the Keys.
The Keys’ next game is on Saturday, September 21, when they welcome Cardiff Met to Pandy Park in the Championship.