Penny cashes in early but Blue & Blacks win the jackpot

■ EVERYONE was reaching for the record books in Ystrad Mynach on Friday night, after Cross Keys’ Carwyn Penny took an estimated seven seconds to give his side the lead in their defeat against Cardiff.

It’s still to be confirmed whether or not his score was faster than that of Dafydd Howells for Wales U20s against Fiji in 2014.

Jacob Botica hit the post following Penny’s try but made up for it by converting two penalties to put Cross Keys 11-0 up before Cardiff fought back.

A long-range Steffan Jones penalty went just wide of the sticks whilst at the other end, Botica hit the post from his next attempt at goal.

But Jack Roberts broke through for Cardiff to put them back in the game. Jones converted and Cross Keys held a four-point lead at the break.

Botica missed an early second-half penalty, and Cross Keys’ task was further hindered on 47 minutes after Damian Welch was sin-binned.

A couple of minutes later, Roberts scored his and Cardiff ’s second try to put them in the lead for the first time. Jones converted again.

Tom Williams got Cardiff’s third, again improved by Jones, but in the final move of the game, Garin Price received Penny’s pass to run under the sticks to earn Keys a losing bonus point. Botica converted.

But it was not enough as the visitors held on to secure a priceless win. Star man Carwyn Penny - Cross Keys