Bedwas Head Coach Steve Law was delighted with the win. “Our second half showing was pretty impressive,” said Law. “We stood up to the physicality of an aggressive Cross Keys pack and emerged victors. We need to build on this victory and I am looking for another win to build momentum.”
This week’s starting XV shows very few changes from last week.
Rory Budina reclaims his starting position on the right wing with Lewis Hudd dropping to the bench after picking up an injury at Keys. Mike Callow on permit from Llanharan comes into the outside centre berth and Tom Rowlands starts at scrum half.
Up front the side is led by prop forward Dan Preece with James Thomas returning to Dragons duty. Alwyn Lee moves from second row to back row and Josh Walker comes in to the second row.
Head-to-head, Aberavon and Bedwas have met each other 26 times in the Welsh National League with the Wizards leading the series by 18 wins to seven with one game drawn. At Bridge Field, the series is tied with six wins apiece, and one game drawn, with Bedwas winning 32 – 23 at the ground last season.
Bedwas: 15 Harley Thomson, 14 Rory Budina, 13 Mike Callow, 12 Arron Pinches, 11 Matthew John, 10 Richard Powell, 9 Tom Rowlands; 1 Dan Preece (Capt), 2 Rhys Hutcherson, 3 Matthew Pettit, 4 Phil Rees, 5 Josh Walker, 6 Alwyn Lee, 7 James Sawyer, 8 Dan Crimmins.
Replacements: 16 Alun Rees, 17 Brynley Toms, 18 Ian Jenkins, 19 James Richards, 20 James Benjamin, 21 Luke Crane, 22 Jack Maynard, 23 Lewis Hudd
Aberavon: 15 Morgan Williams 14 Kristian Corbisiero 13 Joe Gage 12 Will Price 11 Stef Andrews 10 Nic Damjanovic 9 David Pritchard; 1 Rowan Jenkins 2 Ieuan Davies 3 Nicky Thomas 4 Ian Moore 5 Ben Davies 6 Lee Purnell 7 Nathan Brown 8 Chris Davies
Replacements: 16 Keiron Harris 17 Lee Evans 18 Matthew Jenkins 19 Gareth Harvey 20 Ben Thomas 21 Adam Beard 22 Chris John 23 Neil White
