BEDWAS thumped Cross Keys 48-8 in the Foster’s Challenge Cup on Wednesday night to keep alive their semi-final hopes, writes Chris Kirwan.

Steve Law’s side, who were runners-up to Pontypridd after losing a thrilling final last season, romped to an eight-try victory at Bridge Field.

First half tries by wing Andy Evans, centre Adam Williams and flanker Josh Williams were followed after the break by scores from fly-half Richard Powell, Adam Williams’ second, centre Mike Callow, prop Dan Preece and another at the death by teenage Dragons academy flanker Taine Basham.

It means that Newport retain top spot in the three-team group with 10 points while Bedwas and Keys are on 6, setting the scene for a January scrap with Bedwas heading to Rodney Parade on Wednesday, January 11 and Pandy Park seven days later.

The Bridge Field fixture provided Newport High School Old Boys with a proud moment with a trio of their youngsters making their first appearances at semi-professional level.

Wing James McCarthy and back row Lennon Greggains played for Keys and wing Corey Howells for Bedwas.

“They are really promising youngsters who the Dragons Academy deemed were good enough to have a try out at that level,” said former Wales prop Rhys Thomas, who is a coach at NHSOB.

“It’s a really big boost for the club and shows that our youth programme is working – we want to develop boys so that they go on to higher things and we have currently got five in the initial Wales Under-18s squad.”

Bargoed enjoyed another terrific success in the tournament, following up their Pool Three victory against Pontypridd with a 21-14 win at leaders Merthyr.

Ebbw Vale romped to an excellent Premiership win when they headed to Pontypridd in October but their inexperienced side, of which 15 of the 23 were on permit, was hammered 63-14 on the Sardis Road plastic. Brynmawr Lock Adam Lane and Ynysybwl’s Macauley Griffiths were try scorers for the Steelmen.

Ebbw head to Merthyr next while Bargoed travel to Ponty. The final fixtures are a Gwent derby at Bargoed Park and a likely shoot-out for a semi-final berth at Sardis Road.