Keys leave it late to unlock stubborn Bargoed rearguard

CROSS Keys avenged their 34-23 defeat to Bargoed earlier in the season with a comfortable victory in the return fixture.

Despite the sunshine, there wasn’t much to delight fans of running rugby in a scrappy first half which saw Keys lead 10-9 at the interval.

Both sides had tried to throw the ball about but poor handling meant there was little of real note in the opening 40 minutes.

Former Bargoed outsidehalf Josh Prosser kicked a long-range penalty against his old club early on, but it was soon cancelled by a shot at goal by his opposite number Iain Smerdon.

Great defensive work by the hosts earned them two penalties, which were again slotted by Smerdon, the second looked to have sailed wide to just about everyone in the ground bar the officials.

Just before half-time, and against the run of play, Keys flanker Taine Basham romped home for a converted try as Bargoed tried to run from deep.

It signalled a sea change because the second half belonged almost exclusively to the visitors.

Bargoed were under enormous pressure and lost lock Matthew Thomas to the sin bin early on.

The impressive Prosser kicked a penalty before

wing Matthew Powell finished well for an unconverted try as they took advantage of the 14 men, before full-back Joe Goodchild crossed for a converted touchdown on 68 minutes.

Star man Josh Prosser - Cross Keys