PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP EAST

CROSS KEYS ............... 23 BARGOED .................... 34

FORMER Dragons No 8 Ieuan Jones says he is hoping to help his local club Bargoed become a top-end Premiership side.

The 24-year-old from Aberbargoed left Cross Keys over the summer and returned to haunt his old club, starring in his new team’s terrific 34-23 bonus-point victory over them.

The back-rower scored Bargoed’s opening try in their stunning triumph over a Keys outfit who came within an ace of toppling champions Merthyr away on the opening day of the season.

The excellent visitors outscored their local rivals by four tries to two, the Rhymney Valley outfit’s other points coming from touchdowns by openside Grant Rogers, wing Ashley Norton and a penalty try, while their impressive full-back Matthew Lewis kicked three conversions and two penalties.

For Keys, lock Josh Skinner and wing Joe Goodchild bagged two fine tries which Josh Prosser converted, the fly-half also adding two penalties, while Dragons fullback Carl Meyer put over a monster from inside his own half.

Jones, who also had spells with Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys, said: “The top teams in the Premiership have to play for the full 80 minutes and that’s what we are aiming to do.

“That’s what Bargoed have to learn after coming up from the Championship and I’m so pleased we got the win.

“We made too many mistakes in the defeat to Ebbw Vale last week, but that was much better.

“It was a tough decision to leave Keys but I’m happy to be here at Bargoed and I’m hoping to help push the club so that they are in top half of the Premiership.”

Asked if he harbours an ambition to be a full-time professional player again, he said: “I have been out of it for a few years. If it comes, it comes.”

Keys team manager Mark Prangle said: “Bargoed were impressive and a much better side than they were last season and will only get better.”