Matthews leads by example to get Keys off mark

CROSS KEYS picked up their first win of the season in emphatic fashion with a six-try thumping of Neath at Pandy Park.

Skipper Scott Matthews grabbed a brace of tries while there were also scores for full-back Josh Prosser, hooker Darren Hughes, replacement Adam Powell and centre Leon Andrews.

Fly-half Geraint Rhys Jones kicked 18 points for the rampant Keys, while Ed Howley landed Neath’s only points with a solitary penalty.

The hosts surged into an early lead thanks to a Jones penalty and his conversion of Prosser’s try, with the full-back finishing off some good build-up work.

Howley responded for the visitors but hooker Hughes ploughed his way over the line to establish a handy 14-point interval lead for Keys.

Jones’s second penalty stretched that margin further soon after the break before openside Matthews got over for his first score of the game.

An interception try for Powell, as he picked off an errant pass to race over the line, only added to Neath’s woes and there was worse to come.

Centre Andrews got his reward for a solid midfield performance by breaking through the defensive line to get the home side’s fifth try.

But skipper Matthews was the game’s star performer and it was fitting that he rounded off the scoring to complete his double. Star man Scott Matthews - Cross Keys