Cross Keys RFC


Cross Keys RFC is a rugby union club located in the Welsh village of Crosskeys. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union, and is a feeder club for the Dragons regional team.

History

The club achieved first class-status in 1909, winning the Monmouthshire league three times.
By 1920 the team had their first international player, when Steve Morris won a cap for Wales national [rugby union team|Wales]. Morris would win 19 caps and captained Wales in 1925. Caps followed during the 1920s for Ossie Male and Lonza Bowdler, both returned over several seasons for Wales, facing not only Five Nations Championships but also touring teams.
In 1926 Cross Keys RFC found themselves in dire financial trouble, and requested help from the Welsh Rugby Union. The WRU refused an appeal for a cash loan, but instead agreed to send the Welsh national team to play in an exhibition match at Pandy Park. The sell-out crowd assured Cross Keys future and resulted in an historic win for the home team thirteen points to eight.
Rugby observers have noted the high level of talent in the Cross Keys pack, and criticised the fact they went under represented in the national team during the 1920s and 1930s.
Cross Keys reached the final of the 2011–12 British and [Irish Cup], losing to Munster A. Cross Keys won their first Swalec Cup, defeating table topping Pontypridd at the Millennium Stadium in 2012.

Club honours

  • Welsh Club Champions - 1921–22, 1935–36
  • Welsh Division One Champions - 1992–93, 1999–00
  • British and Irish Cup Runners-Up - 2011–12
  • Swalec Cup Winners - 2011–12
  • Swalec Cup Runners-Up - 2013–14
  • Welsh Premier Division Runners-Up - 2013–2014
  • WRU Admiral Championship East Promotion - 2023-24

Notable former players

The following list is made up of ex-Cross Keys players who have all won international caps as either a rugby union or rugby league player.

Past season performance

2006/06-2009/10
SeasonLeagueFinishNumber of Teams
2006-07Premiership13th14
2007-08Premiership11th15
2008-09Premiership9th14
2009-10Premiership10th14

2010/11-2019/20
SeasonLeagueFinishNumber of Teams
2010-11Premiership6th14
2011-12Premiership6th14
2012-13Premiership5th12
2013-14Premiership3rd12
2014-15Premiership3rd12
2015-16Premiership4th12
2016-17Premiership12th16
2017-18Premiership11th16
2018-19Premiership14th16
2019-20Championship7th14

'''2020/21-'''