WRU NATIONAL CUP ROUND ONE

CROSS KEYS ............... 21 PONTYPRIDD .............. 16

DESPITE a confident start from Pontypridd it was the home side who registered the first points of the match courtesy of a long range Josh Prosser penalty.

Minutes later the visitors conceded another penalty at the scrum and outside half Prosser again converted it from a distance.

Ponty were looking to build from a solid lineout drive but loose play amongst the backs allowed Keys’ Josh Skinner the chance to intercept and race clear from the halfway line to score next to the posts. Outside half Josh Prosser converted the try.

The visitors’ lineout drive was proving to be a very useful option in the conditions and it was no surprise when from five metres out a set move saw lock Chris Dicomidis crash over out wide.

Ponty were gaining some momentum now and after a chip ahead by wing Alex Webber set up excellent field position and when the home side were penalised outside half Ceri Sweeney slotted the ball between the posts.

However on the stroke of half-time, Ponty gifted Cross Keys possession close to their try line and conceded a penalty which outside half Josh Prosser easily converted to see the home team go in at the break 16-8 ahead.

With Ponty’s first early attack of the second half, hooker Joe Page crossed for a try after another excellent lineout drive that started 20 metres from the line.

Ponty were starting to dominate possession and playing the conditions well but without creating any real point-scoring opportunities.

A Dale Stuckey break came to nothing as his chip kick ahead was charged down by the covering defence.

A high tackle on Morgan Sieniawski gifted replacement outside half Diggy Bird an opportunity to tie up the scores which he did not waste as the ball sailed between the uprights from 35m out.

Keys however hit back immediately as flanker Josh Skinner barged over out wide for his second try of the match.

With time running out the Keys forwards refused to surrender the ball but did offer Ponty one last glimmer of hope by conceding a penalty on half way, but Diggy Bird failing to find touch.

The referee duly brought the match to an end with Cross Keys holding out to win by 21-16.