Principality Welsh Premiership, Friday February 22 2013.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell
Cross Keys became the first team to win a Principality Premiership game at Bedwas this season as they edged a hard fought contest on a cold Friday night.
Keys dominated possession and territory for most of the first half as Bedwas’ efforts were ended by good defence. Bedwas found it hard to gain any headway even when the visitors were down to 14 men following Dean Gunter’s sin binning.
Keys scored the only points of the first half as scrum half Ryan James pounced on a loose ball to grab an opportunist try despite the suspicions off a knock on in the build up. Gunter added the extras.
Bedwas came out for the second half determined to gain something from the game. Reward eventually came via a Lewis Robling penalty although Rhys Hutcherson made a great break whilst the referee was playing the advantage. Unfortunately Rowling’s three points were immediately cancelled out by two Dorian Jones penalties.
Bedwas had opportunities to get back in the game but the Keys defence was in no mood to surrender and Bedwas were kept out legally and illegally but the referee seemed reluctant to produce yellow cards for persistent indiscipline. Bedwas endeavour finally gained reward with 6 minutes left when Scott Williams pounced on a defensive error for a try. Lewis Robling miscued his conversion attempt as the ball fell off the kicking tee as struck it.
Keys held on to secure the win, Bedwas having to console themselves with a losing bonus point.
Next Saturday (March 2) Bedwas travel to Neath to take on the Welsh All Blacks at the Gnoll, kick-off 2.30pm.
