Cross Keys clinched Wales’ final place in next season’s British & Irish Cup by beating Newport 25-18 at Pandy Park in the qualification play-off final.
Keys finished the league season in sixth place earning them a direct passage into the British & Irish Cup qualification play-off final. Newport had beaten Tonmawr 31-5 in Play-Off One last Saturday but were unable to repeat the feat in the final.
It was a tight affair throughout, with Newport’s Gareth Bowen and Cross Keys outside half Steffan Jones supplying six penalties each but Keys centre Nathan Williams finally made the difference between the two sides with a try seven minutes from time.
Cross Keys succumbed to some indiscipline in the opening quarter allowing Newport to go ahead by three Bowen penalties to Jones’ one. Newport stayed ahead in a rather lack lustre first half with the Black and Ambers going in 12-6 ahead at the break.
Newport replacement prop Dai Pattison was shown a yellow card at 47 minutes and the numerical advantage helped Cross Keys to get back in with a shout of taking the spoils, two more Steffan Jones penalties taking Keys level for the first time at 15-15.
Cross Keys enjoyed more possession throughout the second half and were more enterprising in their attacking endeavour. Newport edged back into the lead for the last time with Bowen’s final penalty before the winning try which saw lock Tom Lampard gallop through from Keys’ own half, finding centre Williams who tore through the remainder of the Newport defence to score with Jones converting.
The score finally put some daylight between the two sides at 22-18 and Jones settled matters with a final penalty.
Cross Keys coach Mark Ring said, “It’s a great feeling. We tried to play at a high tempo and iron out a few problems at the set piece in the second half and it came off. It’s a fantastic reward to get into the British & Irish Cup for the first time.
“It will be another step up for the club, another big learning curve for the players. We may have to look at strengthening the squad but we are in a good position to do so having finished in sixth place. The Principality Premiership is here to provide exposure and pressure for these players and we’re very proud that so many of our young players are getting Regional and international recognition.
“Lloyd Burns was our captain last season and Toby Faletau played his first senior rugby with us, both of whom have been named in Warren Gatland’s squad to play the Barbarians, and Jevon Groves is captain of Wales Sevens. Added to that, Steffan Jones has now stepped up to the Dragons set-up, getting two games at the end of the season.
“Every game will be intense in the British & Irish Cup, and the Principality Premiership will be too, especially when it goes to ten teams. Our players will have to adopt a more professional outlook.
“The Premiership has had its critics but the WRU and clubs have to be applauded for making changes to the Premiership to make it more intense in order to underpin the Regions. Everyone will have to step up – players and coaches.”
Cross Keys join fellow Welsh sides Pontypridd, Neath, Llanelli, Aberavon and Swansea in next season’s cross-border competition.
Scorers:
Cross Keys: Try: Nathan Williams; Con: Steffan Jones; Pens: Steffan Jones (6)
Newport: Pens: Gareth Bowen (6)
