PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP

CROSS KEYS ............... 22 BARGOED ...................... 0

BARGOED, playing only their third league game this year, came a clear second best to Tier 2 highflyers Cross Keys.

The first quarter was a tight affair with both sides hammering it out between the two 22s.

The defences cancelled each other out and it was a touch of class from former Bargoed outside half Josh Prosser that broke the deadlock.

Prosser deftly kicked over the flat Bargoed defence for wing Nathan Trowbridge to beat the Bulls’ cover to the touchdown for the game’s first try which went unconverted on the halfhour.

Bargoed responded well and wing David Evans went close before prop Keiron Brown was held up but Cross Keys held out and cleared to touch.

Keys piled on the pressure as half-time approached and were rewarded with a late penalty from the boot of Prosser to make it 8-0 at the break.

Any thoughts of a Bargoed comeback were dealt a blow with an early second try for the home side.

Advantage was being played from a knock-on and the ball was move quickly across the Cross Keys backs before another Bargoed product, No 8 Ieuan Jones, found himself clear on the wing to cross in the corner.

Prosser converted well from the touchline and Keys were looking comfortable at 15-0 after 42 minutes.

The Bargoed scrum had struggled throughout the first half and referee Adam Jones finally decided enough was enough and yellow carded loose-head prop Jack Williams on 46 minutes.

Despite the numerical advantage Bargoed kept Cross Keys at bay and didn’t concede another point two minutes from time when, after a long period of defending, they eventually ran out of tacklers allowing centre Barney Nightingale to crash through under the posts. Prosser converted to make it 22-0.

With the clock past 80 Bargoed were again reduced to 14 but this time it was red – wing Duane Dyer adjudged to have used abusive language.

The Bulls survived the final minutes and the game ended 22-0.