Cross Keys 38-32 Bedwas
Tuesday April 26, Crosskeys
Cross Keys clinched victory with a late try, after both sides shared nine scores in what would have gone down as a Principality Premiership classic, if not for the constant blowing of the referee’s whistle.
Such was the predominance of the referee’s intervention, both sides’ players and supporters were left frustrated and bemused.
On a cold evening, Bedwas were quickly out of the blocks as a break down the middle put Luke Crane clear for a try with only two minutes elapsed.
James Dixon’s conversion from out wide dropped short of the posts.
Keys quickly replied as Scott Matthews – making his 100th appearance for the club – crashed over for a try, and Ethan Davies added the conversion.
Both sides competed strongly for the ball but the referee’s intervention at the breakdown saw moves for both sides come to a halt.
Bedwas regained the lead with a quarter of the game gone, as James Dixon crossed for a try he duly converted.
Five minutes later, Leon Andrews wrong footed the Bedwas defence as he danced through for a try, which was again converted by Davies.
Three minutes before the interval, Keys increased their lead courtesy of a Nathan Trowbridge try in the corner.
Davies’ tricky conversion went wide.
With the last play of the half, Bedwas pressure was rewarded with a try for lock Joe Davies, and with Dixon adding the extras, it was all square at 22-22 at the break.
Both sides started the second half as they’d finished the first, and again Bedwas drew first blood.
Mathew John won the race to the line from James Dixon’s kick through, and Dixon added the conversion.
Keys responded yet again as Matthews added his second try of the evening to tie the scores up at 30-30.
As the game entered the final minutes, James Dixon added a penalty to put his side two points ahead, but both sides continued to attack.
With five minutes remaining, the referee decided he had had enough and sin-binned Bedwas’ Joe Davies for an offence at the ruck, and it proved to be the difference between the sides, as back-rower Josh Skinner took advantage of the extra man to cross for a try, improved upon cooly by Ethan Davies.
There was insufficient time for a Bedwas comeback, as Keys defended stoutly to repel their efforts and finish the season in fourth.
• Match report and photography by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.