Fortune was on our side, admits Cardiff coach Lane

CARDIFF .......................... 36 CROSS KEYS ................... 35

CARDIFF backs coach Llyr Lane admitted his side were fortunate to overcome Cross Keys at the Arms Park.

The Blue and Blacks edged a thrilling encounter that ended in agony for a young Cross Keys side who were denied victory after a last-gasp conversion sailed wide.

“We were a bit lucky to win that one, if I am being honest,” said Lane.

“Cross Keys came here with what probably wasn’t their strongest side and fought for everything and played with so much desire.

“They were certainly the hungrier side and won the 50-50 contests.

“But our set-piece was very good and it has improved a lot over the last few weeks.

“Our forwards coach Neil Edwards has been putting a lot of hard work in with the pack and that showed.

“It’s all about winning at the end of the day and that’s what we did.”

Joey Tomlinson bagged a first-half hat-trick for Cardiff with Mathew Powell and Rory Pitman their other try scorers.

Dan Babos, Wes Cunliffe, Ian Newbury, Srdan Majkic and Todd James all scored for Keys.

Jason Tovey agonisingly missed what would have been the matchwinning conversion for James’s try. It meant his side had to settle for two points instead of the five they probably deserved from the contest.

– Tries: J Tomlinson (3), M Powell, R Pitman. Cons: S Jones (3), G Thompson. Pen: S Jones.

– Tries: D Babos, W Cunliffe, I Newbury, S Majkic, T James. Cons: J Tovey (2). Pens: J Tovey (2).