Cross Keys tore up the form book and deservedly took the spoils in a game which ended Bedwas’ four match winning streak and incurred a first defeat in the Principality Premiership East this season.
The visitors were first on the scoreboard at Pandy Park, after hooker Dale Rogers was driven over in the maul after a lineout. Steffan Jones’ successful conversion put his side 0-7 up in as many minutes.
Defences ruled the roost for the remainder of the first-half, as both teams cancelled each other out. The only other score came from Keys fly-half Josh Prosser, who scored a penalty to make it 3-7 at the break.
Bedwas again were first to register points after the interval, as Jones added another penalty to his season total.
However, the visitors’ joy was short-lived as Keys turned the deficit on its head.
Prosser’s penalty from the tee was followed by an unconverted try out wide from winger Joe Goodchild, and the hosts held a slender one-point lead.
They went further ahead just before the hour-mark as hooker Rob Jones crossed the whitewash. Prosser slotted the conversion.
Two Bedwas tries in quick succession suggested the pendulum had swung their way, as Mike Callow and Lewis Evans crossed within three minutes of each other to make the score 18-22.
Keys had other ideas and upped the ante, gaining their reward as winger Mathew Powell ran through a static defence to cross for their third try of the afternoon. Prosser’s late conversion nudged the hosts ahead by three points with just a minute remaining.
Bedwas did have one last attack to salvage more than just the losing bonus-point, but they surrendered possession and allowed their opponents to clear into touch.
On Saturday, September 30, Bedwas turn their focus to the visit of Cardiff RFC and former head coach Steve Law in an eagerly-awaited clash.
• Match report and photography by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.