NEWPORT and Bedwas will clash for a place in the semi-finals of the Foster's Challenge Cup at Rodney Parade next Wednesday, writes Chris Kirwan.

Cross Keys currently lead the way in the three-team Pool A after beating Bedwas 31-24 at Pandy Park on Wednesday evening.

However, Keys cannot make the knockout stages because their advantage over the Black and Ambers is just one point and Steve Law's side, runners-up last season, are three back thanks to a pair of bonus points.

It will be winner takes all in Newport next week while the hosts, who unlike Bedwas are not in the mix for the Principality Premiership title after missing out on the top half, would head into the semi-finals if the spoils are shared.

Keys were sharply out of the blocks on Wednesday with a try inside a minute by wing Matthew Powell with fly-half James Thomas adding the conversion.

Centre James S Dixon responded swiftly with an unconverted try but centre Phil Williams went over in the 16th minute, with Thomas' conversion making it 14-5 to the hosts.

Number eight Dan Crimmins cut the deficit with a score that Dixon improved only for full-back James McCarthy to cross to earn Keys a 19-12 lead at the break.

Hooker Robert Jones gave the Pandy Park side some breathing space two minutes after the restart with the bonus point try, with Thomas' extras making it 26-12, and scrum-half Ross Pritchard sealed the win on 54 minutes when making it 31-12.

However, Bedwas rallied to earn a pair of bonus points thanks to scores in the final quarter by wing Matthew John and lock Tom Bell.

Dixon converted the second to give Bedwas hope of sharing the spoils but Keys held on for victory.

Merthyr have secured their berth in the last four thanks to a comprehensive win over an experimental Ebbw Vale side at the Wern.

The Ironmen took the spoils 40-14 with the Steelmen's points coming from a penalty try, a score by Chris Thomas and a pair of conversions by full-back Will Holley.

Bargoed, who host Ebbw next week, backed up their excellent Premiership against Newport by beating holders Pontypridd at Sardis Road.

They triumphed 17-14 thanks to a late penalty by Callum Jones after converted tries by back row forwards Lee Beach and Lewis Weyman.

Carmarthen Quins will hold off Llandovery's challenge to qualify with a home win against Llanelli next week while Bridgend hold a slender one point advantage over Aberavon with the former hosting Neath and the latter entertaining Cardiff.