After a run of disappointing defeats Cross Keys will be looking to bounce back this Saturday as Bedwas make the short trip to Pandy Park for the latest Principality Premiership action.
Like Keys, Bedwas have made plenty of changes to their playing squad for the 2018/19 season and they have so far won just 1 of their 7 games played so far, compared to Keys’ 2 wins. That solitary win came a fortnight ago when they edged out Bargoed at Bargoed Park by 28 points to 26. The other 6 games have all ended in defeat for the men from the Bridge Field and as a result they currently sit just one from the bottom of the league table, with Neath the only side below them.
Last season the sides met on 3 occasions with the spoils going the way of the home side on each occasion. At Pandy Park last September in the East conference Keys were the winners by 25 points to 22. Tries for Keys came from Joe Goodchild, Rob Jones and Mathew Powell with Josh Prosser adding 10 points with the boot. The Bedwas replies came from tries by Dale Rogers, Mike Callow and Lewis Evans with Steffan Jones kicking a pair of conversions and a penalty. In the return East conference fixture at Bridge Field last November Bedwas took the victory by 32 points to 24 and in the full Principality Premiership fixture between the 2 sides back in April Bedwas eased to a 57 points to 34 victory over Keys at Bridge Field.
The Keys have made several changes to their side for this Saturday’s game compared to the side that started in the televised defeat at Ebbw Vale last week. In the backs Keys welcome back Dan Babos after Dragons A duty last week as he starts at scrum half. In the centre Srdan Majkic and Leon Andrews form a new look partnership, with Andrews’ place at full back taken by Canadian Will Kelly, who will make his Keys debut after appearing for the Dragons A in the Celtic Cup over the previous few weeks. Rory Budina will replace Wes Cunliffe on the wing to face his former side following a spell on the sidelines following his injury on the opening day of the season, Cunliffe misses out after he came off against Ebbw last week. Up front Keys name the same front row that started against Ebbw Vale last week whilst in the second row skipper Damian Welch comes forward from the back row to replace the injured Harvey Reader. In the back row, Izaak Duffy starts at blindside flanker with Garin Price coming in at number 8 which means Joe Thomas moves to his usual openside berth. On the bench hooker Zac Hewlett and prop Scott Evans are welcomed back following their appearances for the Dragons A in the Celtic Cup over recent weeks.
The Cross Keys side in full is:-
15. Will Kelly
14. Rory Budina
13. Leon Andrews
12. Srdan Majkic
11. Joe Goodchild
10. Jason Tovey
9. Dan Babos
1. Ryan Bevington
2. Connah Vaughan
3. Richard Cornock
4. Damian Welch (c)
5. Tom Lampard
6. Izaak Duffy
7. Joe Thomas
8. Garin Price
Replacements: 16. Zac Hewlett, 17. Taylor Hansen, 18. Scott Evans, 19. Todd James, 20. Joe Carlin, 21. Declan Williams, 22. Owain Leonard, 23. Ian Newbury.
Cross Keys v Bedwas Principality Premiership
Date: Saturday 20th October 2018
Venue: Pandy Park
Kick Off: 2.30pm
