Cross Keys 22 v 21 Whites
13 Sep 2008 - Pandy Park
CROSS KEYS 22 SWANSEA 21
Paul Smithson broke Swansea hearts with a dramatic penalty kick in the dying seconds of a thrilling match. Just a minute before Smithson’s strike, the visitors were in total control with possession deep inside the Cross Keys twenty-two. A calamitous final thirty seconds saw them throw away the victory.
James Dixon was handed the first points opportunity within the opening minute after Cross Keys were guilty of hands in the ruck, but his effort sailed wide of the post. In fact it was Smithson who opened the scoring with a penalty of his own after Richard Payne held on after the tackle.
The visitors threatened soon after when scrum half Rhodri Wells broke down the wing but the supporting Rhys Jones was tackled into touch by Tom Lampard. Jones was guilty of dwelling on the ball too long and gave away a penalty although Smithson was off target this time.
A clever chip through by Ryan James forced Steffan Jones to hold on after the tackle, gifting Smithson three points. The Keys’ backline looked impressive early on and centre Shane Regan took advantage of some sloppy defending to burst through the middle only for Lloyd Burns to spill the ball forward with the line at his mercy.
The first try of the match came after 28 minutes when Payne set up full back Jonny Lewis, who broke through two tackles to score. Dixon converted. A good break by Leigh Bevan forced the home defence offside but Dixon was unable to make them pay as he missed a penalty attempt at goal.
Burns was yellow carded for persistent offside as Swansea began to dominate possession. Dixon chipped to the corner and further offside by the Keys defence gave him another penalty chance which he duly converted.
Half-Time:- Cross Keys 6 Swansea 10
Cross Keys retook the lead soon after half time when Smithson and Gareth Maule combined well to send Julian Price over in the corner. Smithson converted. Swansea almost replied instantly but Payne spilled the ball forward despite an overlap out wide.
A powerful scrum by the All Whites forced Keys to dive over the top gifting Dixon a simple three points from in front of the posts. A quick tap and go by Owen Jones was taken up to the line by James before the Swansea defence were guilty of killing the ball. Smithson converted the penalty chance. Good work by Huw Alford sent Dixon on a run to the line but he was brought down inches short.
Quick thinking by Lewis sent over Tim Evans for a try that took Swansea back into the lead with 18 minutes left on the clock. Dixon’s conversion hit the post. The Whites’ advantage didn’t last long though after offside in midfield gave Smithson another three-pointer.
Replacement lock Gavin Ronan broke clear of the Keys defence but he failed to find the supporting David Watts and instead threw a wild pass forward to Bevan. A Dixon penalty put Swansea back in front with five minutes remaining after Keys killed the ball.
The Whites battened down the hatches late on with Wells and Bevan combining well to force the Keys defence on the backfoot. The nightmare finish then followed as Cross Keys worked their way upfield and earned a penalty deep inside injury time. Smithson kept his composure to slot over the winning kick and condemn the Whites to their second defeat of the season.
Richard Webster and his coaching staff will undoubtedly be very disappointed at losing the game right at the death. There were certainly positives to be taken though as the Whites arguably looked the better side for the majority of the match, dominating most of the forwards’ exchanges.
Full-Time:- Cross Keys 22 Swansea 21
Venue:- Pandy Park, Cross Keys
Weather:- Sunny, 16C
Competition:- Principality Welsh Premiership
Referee:- Mike Bethell
Cross Keys Scorers:- Smithson (5 Pens, Con), Price (Try)
Swansea Scorers:- Lewis (Try), Dixon (Con, 3 Pens), T. Evans (Try)
Swansea Team:- 15 J. Lewis 14 Rhys Jones (rep: C. Shelmerdine) 13 R. Payne 12 J. Stuart (rep: D. Watts) 11 L. Bevan 10 J. Dixon 9 R. Wells 1 T. Evans (rep: A. Wyn-Davies) 2 A. Joy 3 Roy Jones 4 G. Ronan (rep: H. Alford) 5 R. Kelly 6 S. Kiley 7 M. Evans 8 S. Jones
By Paul Hopkins
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