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Cross Keys v Aberavon MatchPack : Report
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For the second time in five days the Wizards went
crashing to defeat in Gwent and, in truth, never ever looked like
salvaging a point from this game.
They have now conceded 10 tries in the two games leading up to
Saturday's cup semi-final against Pontypridd |
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| and are baffling coaches and supporters
with their performances. |
Injuries had laid low Jamie Davies, Richard Carter, Steve
Davies, Chris Wells and Chris Gittins.
In addition, Darryl Thomas, the midweek father of twin boys, was
carried off after 39 minutes and is also doubtful for the Ponty
tie, while skipper Ian Moore, who was not originally selected,
had to play for 48 minutes.
Prop forward Anthony Edwards had to come on and hook in the
closing minutes as there were three props and no hookers on the
bench.
Cross Keys secretary Chris Clarke, chairman of the Premiership
clubs, commented: "I think Aberavon minds were on injuries and
the cup semi-final, while we gave a fine all-round performance."
It was a return to Pandy Park for Aberavon backs coach Nicky
Lloyd, who said: "As coaches, Simon King and I wanted players to
show they were pushing for places in the cup.
"However, some did not put their hands up today and we will now
have a difficult job selecting the starting fifteen. The cup was
not in our minds as coaches, but Cross Keys certainly must take
credit for their performance."
In dreadful conditions, with rain getting heavier by the minute,
Keys played the rugby, yet Aberavon, in their only real move of
the match, scored a fine try.
Fly half Ricky Thomas, who had landed a penalty hat-trick, burst
through in great style to send the supporting Ashley Beck over
halfway out.
However, Aberavon probably tried too much forward play in the
first half, which Keys repulsed well around the fringes and in
the second half were forced to attempt to run from deep and
impossible positions.
James Garland, John Phillips and Paul Bamsey caught the ball
well on defence, but centres Beck and Liam Gadd had limited
ball, though Gadd managed one breakout with an interception.
At fly half, Ricky Thomas had a good game, but, for the second
match running, Chris Morgans had a disappointing game, while it
was lost before Gavin Hooper came on.
Up front, Marc Breeze tried hard, as did others covered by mud,
but they gave second-best on the day to a good Keys pack.
Scott Snedon put Keys ahead with a 3rd-minute penalty and then
converted a Lloyd Burns try, with centre Karl Pocock adding a
second touchdown.
Ricky Thomas kicked two penalties, but Sneddon also managed two
before the interval. Then the pair both added further goals with
minutes of the restart.
Beck's try was quickly negated by a good Keys score when wing
James Leadbeter went over with Sneddon converting to clinch the
victory.
CROSS KEYS...........31
Tries - L. Burns, K. Pocock, J. Leadbeter. Cons - S. Sneddon
(2). Pens - S. Sneddon (4).
Team - A. Thomas; J. Leadbeter, K. Pocock, D. Price, M. Pewtner;
S. Sneddon, O. Jones (repl R. James 60);
J. Price (repl D. Preece 33), L. Burns, C. Gould (repl N. Buck
69), M. Curtis (capt), A. Sweet, R. Peebles, C. Bridges, T.
Lampard.
ABERAVON..............14
Try - A. Beck. Pens - R. Thomas (3).
Team - J. Garland; J. Phillips, L. Gadd, A. Beck, P. Bamsey; R.
Thomas, C. Morgans;
N. White (repl L. Howell 50), M. Breeze, P. Breeze (repl M.
Harris 59), I. Moore (capt) (repl R. Morgan 48), A. Fisher, D.
Thomas, C. Davies (repl A. Edwards 70), D. Thomas (repl R.
Morris 39), S. Peters.
Howard Evans
| Report from the |
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