CROSS Keys head coach Greg Woods was delighted to see his team progress to the next round of the Swalec Cup but admitted they won ugly.

Saturday’s match at Pandy Park was a borefest, but Keys still have plenty to smile about as their purple patch continues with their safe passage through to the last 16.

Their victory was marred, however, after centre Nathan Williams suffered a head injury after he was taken out off the ball by opposite number Darren Ryan, a hit that referee Wayne Davies didn’t witness.

The game was stopped for ten minutes as Williams received medical treatment and had to be stretchered off the field.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance after the game following the incident which took place in the 46th minute.

Keys had the upper hand for huge chunks of the game but just couldn’t put Bedwas to the sword thanks to a frustrating combination of superb defence by the visitors and by some poor execution and basic skills on a heavy pitch.

Woods admitted: "It was a very dour game but we are in the next round and that’s all I can say, really.

"I thought we dominated the game but we just couldn’t cross the white line – we bombed about four or five chances – and it made it a bit nervy at the end.

"But we dominated territory and possession.

"It’s all about winning – Newport and Aberavon have been knocked out – and about staying in the hat for the next round."

Woods singled out Keys second-rower Dan Hodge for his superb performance.

It was a momentous weekend for the West Countryman who made his Newport Gwent Dragons debut on Friday night after coming on as a 71st- minute replacement for Hugo Ellis in their 26-21 defeat to the Ospreys.

And the abrasive second row caused Bedwas all sorts of problems in his second game in two days. "I thought Dan was outstanding," Woods said. "He was like a man among boys. Bedwas couldn’t handle him."

It was the visitors who opened the scoring after six minutes when their outside-half Richard Powell kicked a penalty. But Keys hit back with what proved to be the only real highlight of the whole 80 minutes when they scored a superb try.

No 8 Tom Lampard won quality lineout possession at the tail just inside the Bedwas half before the ball found its way to wing Nathan Trowbridge after his beautifully timed run.

He scythed through the Bedwas defence before his pass found the supporting Leon Andrews. The centre still had plenty to do but finished well, scoring under the posts, fly-half Sam Mills adding the conversion.

Keys were then camped in the Bedwas half but couldn’t breach the visitors’ defence, even after their hooker Aaron Fowler was yellow-carded after 23 minutes.

Keys continued to botch further opportunities and it was Bedwas who scored next after making a rare raid into enemy territory.

On the stroke of half-time Powell kicked another penalty to bring Bedwas back to within a point at 7-6.

Williams’ injury brought matters to a halt early in the second half as Keys continued to pull the strings but lacked the edge to stretch their lead as they found themselves halted time and time again by Bedwas’ well-organised defence and ability to turn the ball over at crucial stages.

Pandy Park new boy Dean Gunter, signed from Pontypridd last week, put the hosts further ahead on his debut. The outside-half kicked a tricky penalty on 57 minutes after coming on for Mills.

But this was soon cancelled out when Powell slotted over his third penalty of the day.

The visitors found themselves down to 14 men again when lock Brendan Lampitt was yellow- carded on 63 minutes for hitting Hodge, who fell to the canvas rather theatrically as if he’d been poleaxed.

One wag in the crowd shouted out that Hodge’s performance was worthy of a place with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Keys continued to maintain their stranglehold on the game but Bedwas gave them a scare when they mounted a late attack and the home side did just enough to keep them out.

Cross Keys: G David (capt), K Baller, L Andrews, N William (P Williams 46), N Trowbridge (M Johnstone 75), S Mills (D Gunter 52), R Dyer (O Jones 40), I George (R Cornock 57), G Price (J Sollis 34), M Jones, D Hodge, L Rawlins, M Popham, R Peebles, T Lampard. Replacement: I Dobbs. Scorers: Try – Leon Andrews; conversion – Sam Mills; penalty – Dean Gunter. Bedwas: S Thomas, T Watkins, I Smerdon, D Ryan (K Owen 76), R Wardle, R Powell, R Wood, M Pettit (K Jenkins 15), A Fowler (R Hutcherson 57), J Cooper (S Roberts 57), B Lampitt, G Williams (R Cadman 66), S Feehan (R Carter 57), S Grainger (R Hutcherson 23), D Mattravers (capt). Scorers: Penalties – R Powell (3). Referee: Wayne Davies. Argus star man: Dan Hodge.