CROSS Keys’ revival and three-match winning streak came to an end after they came unstuck in their Gwent derby away at Bedwas on Friday, writes Iwan Gabe Davies.

The visitors had raced into a 14-3 early in the first half but ran out of momentum as the hosts got the upper hand in an entertaining but scrappy affair.

They took the lead against the run of play when lock Josh Skinner crossed for a converted breakaway try, fly-half Josh Prosser supplying the crosskick after his side hacked the ball ahead deep in their own half.

Ex-Keys outside-half Steffan Jones soon reduced the arrears for Bedwas with a penalty.

The hosts went down to 14 men when wing Matthew John was yellow carded for taking a player out in the air.

Keys capitalised when another Prosser crosskick found centre Leon Andrews who waltzed in for another converted try.

Jones kicked his second penalty which was soon cancelled out by Prosser.

The hosts got the try they deserved when wing Adam Williams squeezed in the corner after they exploited an overlap.

Keys went down to 14 men just before half-time when Skinner deliberately knocked on to snuff out a promising Bedwas move, Jones nailing the penalty to make it 17-14 at the interval.

The hosts came out after the break on fire and took the lead for the first time when number eight Andrew Waite was driven over from a lineout for an unconverted try.

Bedwas turned the screw when Waite crossed for a converted carbon copy try to make it 26-17 with just over 20 minutes left.

Another Jones penalty looked to have taken them out of sight before Keys captain and openside Scott Matthews got his side back in the game at 29-24 with a quick tap penalty for a converted try after the home side conceded a penalty from their own scrum five.

With Bedwas nerves jangling, Jones’ fifth penalty gave them vital breathing space.

Bedwas scorers: Tries: A Williams, A Waite (2), Conversion: Jones, Penalties: S Jones (5).

Cross Keys scorers: Tries: J Skinner, L Andrews, S Matthews, Conversions: J Prosser (3), Penalty: J Prosser