A BITTERLY disappointing defeat for Cross Keys was compounded by the crushing news that two key men could be sidelined for some time.

Outside half Geraint Rhys Jones (ankle) and centre/No 10 Phil Williams (knee), who had replaced him, left the field with injuries and there are fears the latter’s season could be over.

Their departures had a profound effect on the outcome of the game that Keys managed to lose despite being 22-6 up with half an hour to go.

This truly was the one that got away but full credit must go to Bedwas for mounting a remarkable comeback that stunned the Pandy Park faithful.

The foundations of their sensational fightback were laid by their tenacious forwards, a dominating scrum and the control shown by their excellent ‘quarterback’, Richard Powell.

The Bedwas fly half, who scored 24 points through a try, two conversions and five penalties, kicked superbly, both field and goal, was imperious and kept the hosts pegged back.

After three competitive wins out of three this season, Keys were expected to win this one and after strolling into a 16-point lead after 54 minutes, it looked like this one was going along with the formbook against a winless Bedwas.

However, the turning point of the match seemed to come when the hosts butchered a three-to-one overlap that would not only have secured the four-try bonus point, but put the game to bed as well.

When that golden opportunity wasn’t taken, the visitors seized their chance and a remarkable sea change ensued.

What will be all the more galling for Keys was that they had played really well for the majority of the game, playing some attractive rugby to build up their considerable advantage, despite problems with their scrum.

They led 14-3 at the interval, in a first half which saw Bedwas reduced to 13 men at one stage after yellow cards for prop Dan Preece and centre Arron Pinches, thanks to tries by powerful wing Polu Uhi and full back James Cordy-Redden, who had a fine game, and the boot of fly half Geraint Rhys Jones who slotted over two fine conversions.

Wales Sevens man Jones looked good until he was forced off, this his first game of the season for Keys, coming in at outside half while the club’s other two fly halves, brother Dorian and Angus O’Brien, played in Newport Gwent Dragons’ Guinness PRO12 defeat to Glasgow at Rodney Parade.

And when winger Nathan Trowbridge crossed early in the second half for their third try, it looked like the floodgates would open Had they not made that fateful blunder, failing to cross for another try soon after, the story would have been so different.

The momentum shifted decisively in Bedwas’ favour and tries by replacement No 9 Tom Rowlands and Powell, thanks to a wonderful run and chip ahead by number eight Dan Crimmins, saw Steve Law's men take a 23-22 lead going into the last ten minutes.

Keys looked like they might ‘steal’ the game when substitute scrum half James Leadbeater kicked a penalty with just over five minutes left after a high tackle on replacement hooker Jon Howard.

But Bedwas' superior scrum saw Powell regain the lead with a further penalty, after Keys collapsed, before ensuring victory with another fine shot at goal just before referee Rhys Thomas brought an entertaining Gwent derby to a close with the final whistle.

Keys head coach Greg Woods confirmed how he fears Williams could be out for the season.

On the defeat, he added: “When we failed to score the opportunity from the overlap and then lose our No 10s, we (the coaches) said, ‘We’ve lost this one’.

“We were annihilated in the scrum but had more than enough chances to win.

“Fair play to Bedwas though for the way they came back. We have to assess our injuries and regroup for our visit to Cardiff on the weekend.”

Bedwas’ delighted head coach Law said: “It was a very pleasing victory and the players showed a huge amount of character to come back from being 22-6 down.

“We’ve got a lot of ability in our squad and hopefully this win will catapult us forward this season.

“I thought our influence in the scrum really started to show in the third quarter, lock Phill Rees was hugely effective and Richard Powell’s all-round kicking game was excellent.”

Cross Keys: James Cordy-Redden, Polu Uhi, Leon Andrews (capt), Aled James, Nathan Trowbridge, Geraint Rhys Jones (Phil Williams 51, Nathan Williams 59), Ryan James (James Leadbeater 51), Luke Garrett (Craig Gould 54), Darren Hughes (Jon Howard 59), Anthony Lott (Keagan Bale 74), Danny Hodge, Scott Andrews (Simon Williams 65), Reuben Tucker (Jack Condy 55), Scott Matthews, Adam Powell

Cross Keys scorers: Tries – Polu Uhi (25), James Cordy-Redden (39), Nathan Trowbridge (42), Conversions – Geraint Rhys Jones (25) (39), Penalties – Jones (49) James Leadbeater (73).

Bedwas: Harley Thomson, Lewis Hudd (Rory Budina 41) , Arron Pinches, Lewis Bowden (Jack Maynard 63), Matthew John, Richard Powell, Joe Smith (Tom Rowlands 50), Dan Preece (Ian Jenkins 76), Rhys Hutcherson (Richard Wilkes 53), Matthew Pettit (Brynley Toms 52), Phill Rees, Alwyn Lee (Josh Walker 24), James Thomas (capt), James Sawyer, Dan Crimmins (Brynley Toms 29-34, Josh Hayward 59).

Bedwas scorers: Tries – Tom Rowlands (54), Richard Powell (58), Conversions – Richard Powell (54) (58), Penalties – Richard Powell (3) (44) (67) (75) (78).

Referee: Rhys Thomas (WRU)

Argus star man: Richard Powell