Principality Welsh Premiership, Monday January 2 2012
Match report by John Meredith and photography by Ian Lovell
In their second of two ‘holiday season’ games Bedwas visited Pandy Park, Cross Keys to take on one of the current ‘form’ sides of the premier division.
Of the previous 19 encounters between the two sides Keys held the advantage of ten wins to nine so Bedwas supporters expected a tough game in the cold, wet and mud.
Bedwas took the first points of the game via Powell’s boot when the home side were penalised for coming into a ruck at the side with only two minutes elapsed. Both sides found gaining headway difficult with the pitch heavy underfoot, and although Bedwas gained a further penalty on the half way line Powell’s effort went wide. Bedwas were finding it hard to break a determined Keys’ defence and were guilty of wasting several chances to clear from penalties which didn’t find touch.
Powell missed two further kickable penalties before the sucker punch saw Steffan Jones’ kick to the corner pounced upon by wing Nathan Trowbridge for a try in the corner. Jones added the difficult conversion. It could have been worse for Bedwas but Keys’ Jones missed a penalty from the restart after Bedwas were penalised at a ruck.
More rain fell over the half time interval, conditions underfoot deteriorating rapidly.
Keys had an opportunity to increase their lead from a penalty kick from 30 metres out but Jones’ effort went wide. Bedwas tried hard to get back into the game but too many unforced errors saw them make little headway, again failing to find touch from penalties did nothing to help the cause.
A second deft kick saw Trowbridge pounce again to score a try in the left hand corner, the conversion attempt this time being unsuccessful. Bedwas didn’t throw in the towel but their efforts came to nought as they continued to make too many unforced errors and Keys were able to hold on to a deserved victory on the day.
Bedwas are back in action on Saturday January 7 2012 when Bridgend Ravens are the visitors to the Bridge Field, kick off 2.30pm.