Away joy for clinical Keys after bonus-point win

Ebbw Vale ...... 20 Cross Keys .... 34

CROSS Keys produced an impressive performance against Ebbw Vale to come away from Eugene Cross Park with all five points.

The visitors started better when skipper Scott Matthews took advantage of poor Ebbw defending to give Keys an early lead, with Josh Prosser adding the extras.

But the Steelmen responded well and after a sustained spell of pressure, Callum Hall booting a penalty to reduce the deficit. The hosts continued on the front foot and were eventually awarded a penalty try by referee Wayne Davies to extend their lead.

However, they gifted the lead back to Keys when scrum-half Dan Babos tried to pass his way out of danger but handed possession over to Barney Nightingale, who claimed Keys’ second try with Prosser converting.

Full-back Leon Andrews soon added a third before a Prosser penalty gave the visitors a 22-10 half-time lead.

Less than a minute into the second half, Lewis Barnett showed great agility to evade a challenge and dart over the try line to earn Keys a bonus point, Prosser adding the extras again for his third conversion of the match.

Ebbw captain Ronny Kynes offered them a glimmer of hope with a try but James Leadbeater hit back instantly for Keys.

Joe Franchi had the last word of the night for the Steelmen but Keys claimed the win. Star man Leon Andrews - Cross Keys