Hughes double gives coach Stoddart second win in row

HOOKER Darren Hughes scored a double as Cross Keys hit Neath for six at The Gnoll to earn a first Premiership victory under new head coach Morgan Stoddart.

It was actually a second win from two for Stoddart having beaten Bedlinog in the WRU National Cup last weekend. The victory gets Keys up and running in the second phase.

Neath opened the scoring in the eighth minute after an excellent burst down the left from scrumhalf Scott Gibson, with his try unconverted.

Keys hit back with a try from tigh-thead Scott Evans, converted by fullback Josh Prosser, and they cut through again three minutes later with outside centre Leon Andrews dotting down. Prosser’s conversion made it 14-5.

Wing Geraint Llewellyn scored a second try for Neath, touching down after a smart kick from skipper Gavin Evans, with fullback Ed Howley taking care of the extras.

Keys took a 19-12 lead into half time after grabbing their third try when Hughes powered over after the ball had been spun right to left across the 22.

Howley booted Neath back to within four points three minutes after the restart, but Keys were soon over for their bonus-point fourth try, scored by inside centre Phil Williams, with Prosser converting.

Prosser then booted a penalty to extend Keys’ lead to 29-15 before Hughes and skipper Scott Matthews added late tries.