Keys look to shrug off derby defeat (From South Wales Argus)

Keys look to shrug off derby defeat

1:00pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in Sport By Iwan Davies

CARMARTHEN QUINS v CROSS KEYS

CROSS Keys look to put the bitter disappointment of last weekend’s last-gasp 31-28 defeat at home to Gwent rivals Bedwas firmly behind them at Carmarthen Quins tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm).

The Pandy Park side are also looking to halt a slide of three successive defeats after such a bright start to the season.

Referee Martin Lewis and his whistle dominated last Saturday’s game with a highly controversial performance that saw the contest descend into what was effectively a penalty shoot out between Keys’ Dean Gunter and Bedwas’ Richard Powell.

It was the visiting fly half who shaded the duel after he kicked eight penalties to the host man’s seven, a converted try scored by each side.

The official harshly sent off Bedwas replacement lock James Richards, yellow carded four Keys men – Garry Horrigan, Dan Hodge, Aled James and captain Rob Nash – as well as opposition skipper Simon Grainger and Matthew John.

Keys director of rugby Jonathan Westwood knows it will be tough for his troops to get their show back on the road against a tricky Quins outfit with four wins and four defeats in the league.

“We do need to get back to winning ways but we’re certainly not panicking,” he said.

“We have a lot of quality in this squad and you can’t fault the work ethic of the players.”

Westwood added: “Quins will present a tough challenge, they’ve just given Swansea two batterings and are always difficult, especially down there.”

Keys are without influential centre Leon Andrews (knee) and hooker Gerwyn Price (shoulder) again but the pair are due back in action soon.