The game was initially scheduled for January, but after some horrendous weather, the pitch was unplayable so the clash was called off. The teams will finally meet – albeit twice in a week – as the regular league season comes to a close.
Cross Keys are all but certain of a play off place, but have Cardiff breathing down their necks. Bridgend are safe from relegation after Bargoed secured the Championship title on Saturday, but will be eager to avoid finishing bottom, and gain some important momentum before the cup final with Pontypridd in a fortnight.
It has been a difficult week for Cross Keys, who had to endure two close run defeats against Pontypridd.
They lost out in the cup semi final to the Valleys side, but were also defeated in a league game at Pandy Park on Saturday. Bridgend’s form has been patchy to say the least – an excellent win over Carmarthen Quins in Aberavon was followed by a disappointing defeat at home to Neath on Saturday afternoon in the Bridgend sunshine.
The last five ties between the sides slightly favour Cross Keys – three games to two. However, when they met at the end of last season, Bridgend comfortably dispatched of their Gwent visitors by 21-6. The game at Pandy Park went the way of Keys (20-15) in a clash which Bridgend were unlucky not to win.
Bridgend: 15. Owen Howe 14. Adam Williams 13. Chris Lewis 12. Ryan Evans 11. Mike Powell 10. James Dixon 9. Will Baird; 1. Mitch Auger 2. Ashleigh James (c) 3. Cai Lewis 4. Henri Williams 5. Ben Jones 6. Matthew Phillips 7. Adam O’Driscoll 8. Andrew Waite
Replacements: Gary Carpenter, Steve John, Jon Thomas, Lloyd Griffiths, Matthew Hillman, Chris Williams, Liam Jones & Steve Winn
Adults £10 – Concessions £8 – Under 16’s FREE.
