Former Wales international Mark Ring has steered Cross Keys into the final of the British & Irish Cup where they will meet Munster ‘A’ on April 27-28 (tbc).
Keys became the first Welsh side to make it through to the final of competition after a 20-16 win over Cornish Pirates at Pandy Park.
It kept Keys’ bid for an extraordinary treble – they are contenders for the Principality Premiership title and face Ebbw Vale in the semi-finals of the Swalec Cup on Saturday – on track.
In what was billed as the club’s most important game in its 127-year history, Cross Keys scored two tries through right-wing Kristian Baller, both converted by fly-half Steffan Jones who was also successful with two penalty attempts. A penalty try and 11 points from the boot of Rob Cook accounted for Pirates’ points.
Meanwhile, Munster are now 80 minutes away from atoning for their defeat in the 2010 final after seeing off Leinster in a thrilling extra-time semi-final win in front of nearly 5,000 fans at Donnybrook.
Scott Deasy struck three first half penalties to give Munster a 9-6 interval lead before the home side scored 14 answered points to take command of the tie.
But Munster struck back with a brace from Luke O’Dea and one for Barry O’Mahony to regain the lead. Deasy missed an added time penalty but then landed his seventh successful kick in extra time before adding the conversion to Dave Kilcoyne’s try to seal the outcome 36 points to 29.
The British & Irish Cup final, Munster ‘A’ vs Cross Keys, Friday April 27-28. TBC
