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Cross Keys RFC were founded in 1885, their home ground being Pandy Park, seven miles north west of Newport, in “Dragons” country.

The club achieved first class-status in 1909, having won the Monmouthshire league three times.

By 1920 the team had their first international player, when Steve Morris won a cap for Wales. Morris would win 19 caps and captained Wales in 1925. Caps followed during the 1920s for Ossie Male and Lonza Bowdler, both of whom returned over several seasons for Wales, facing not only Five Nation Championships but also touring teams. In 1921-22 Cross Keys won the Welsh Merit Table for the first time. In 1926 however in the midst of the depression effecting all of the country, Cross Keys RFC found themselves in dire financial trouble, Requesting 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. In 1935-36 Cross Keys won the Welsh Merit Table for the second time, Rugby observers noting the high level of talent in the Cross Keys pack, and criticized the fact they went under represented in the national team during the 1920's and 1930's.

In 1990 Cross Keys became founder members of the Heineken League Division One, which was re-classified as Division Two the next season. In 1992-93 Cross Keys were promoted but were relegated the season after. Re-classified as Division One in 1998 Cross Keys finished Champions in 1999-00 and were promoted into the Welsh/Scottish League. Immediately relegated Cross Keys then remained in the level of Division One/Premier until 2018-19, when they were relegated into the Championship.

In 2011-12 Cross Keys reached the final of the British and Irish Cup, losing to Munster (A), in the same season not missing out, they got their first Swalec Cup, defeating table topping Pontypridd 32-19 at the Millennium Stadium. Revenge came in 2013-14 when Pontypridd won the Championship Cup 17 – 38 and The Welsh Cup 8 – 21.

In 2016-17 Cross Keys lost to Neath 13 – 33 in the Welsh Premier Cup semi-Final. Three years later and both these sides are now in this seasons Championship playing the ‘Fera.

Ystalyfera and Cross Keys played the last game of Rugby in Wales before the first lockdown commenced – and the fixture on the 29^th January is the first at Ynysydarren with all COVIT field restrictions removed….  Best luck for both sides!!