CROSS KEYS were put to the sword at the Bridge Field as Bedwas ran in nine tries to bag the victory in an entertaining match, writes Ian Golden.

A well-worked try gave Bedwas the lead, Steffan Jones running 20 metres down the wing to ground before converting himself.

Josh Prosser soon got Keys on the board, kicking a penalty from right in front of the sticks, but Bedwas soon notched their second try after Joseph Scrivens ran though. Jones converted again.

Keys closed the gap again when winger Matthew Powell scored in the corner. Prosser’s conversion attempt had the accuracy but not the distance and Keys were still six points adrift.

Bedwas hit back ten minutes before the break when Tom Rowlands was sent over on the wing. Jones’ conversion attempt hit the post before flying over to give the home side a 21-8 lead.

Again Keys hit back as a fine touch of class from Barney Nightingale saw him weave through the Bedwas line to score their second try.

This time Prosser’s kick had more strength and the score was back to 21-15.

But Bedwas soon increased their advantage to 33-15 with their winger Ryan Davies grabbing a brace of tries, one either side of the half-time break, Jones converting the first of them.

With the bonus point secure for Bedwas, Keys were now aiming to emulate them. Joe Thomas ran through for their third which went unconverted.

However it was Bedwas who scored next. Jones ran through for his second and their sixth try of the afternoon.

Keys’ chances were thwarted on 52 minutes after Scott Evans was sinbinned for a dangerous tackle. Bedwas soon took advantage with Mike Dacey scoring an unconverted try.

It got worse on 65. Keys had used all their replacements, only to see Garin Price hobble off after less than 10 minutes on the field.

However Keys showed resilience and claimed their bonus point try through skipper Scott Matthews that Prosser converted.

An Aaron Bramwell try, converted by Scrivens brought up 50-points for Bedwas, with Thomas quickly replying for Keys with his second that Jones improved.

Bedwas’ Ryan Davies ran over for his hat-trick with the final move of the game.

Bedwas: A Bramwell; R Davies, S Jones (B White 65), A Williams (M Callow 58), M John; J Scrivens, T Rowlands (L Crane 66); B Toms (D Preece 51), M Dacey, J Williams (R Hutcherson 67), G Allen (A Dove 16), J Richards, N Hudd (M Heathman 55), B Hill, A Waite (D Rogers 66).

Scorers – Tries: S Jones (2), J Scrivens, T Rowlands, R Davies (3), M Dacey, A Bramwell; Cons: S Jones (5), J Scrivens.

Cross Keys: C Shephard; M Powell, L Andrews, B Nightingale, L Lewis (B Snell 63); J Prosser, R Pritchard (O Leonard 40); C Hewlett (L Smout 32), D Hughes (Z Hewlett 59), S Evans (R Cornock 62), T Lampard, S Andrews (L Barnett 40), J Skinner (J Thomas 40), S Matthews, I Jones (G Price 58).

Scorers – Tries: M Powell, B Nightingale, J Thomas (2), S Matthews; Cons J Prosser (3); Pen: J Prosser