CROSS Keys slipped to defeat at Bargoed after failing to build on a dominant first half display, writes Ian Golden.

The first half was a scrum and penalty fest on a pitch that was in fairly good condition, but the rain throughout the day made the ball slippery and it took both sides time to control their ball handling.

After Bargoed gave away a penalty on 10 minutes for deliberate knock-on, many thinking that it was the wrong decision, Keys had the first opportunity to score.

But the conditions put paid to this chance. Had Mason Williams caught Jason Tovey’s chip, then he would have scored in the corner to give Keys the lead.

It took nearly 20 minutes for Bargoed to get into Keys’ half and when they did, they immediately gave away a penalty.

Neither side could get a foothold on the game and it took a while for the ball to get back out of the central 20 metre area. Both sides continued to give away penalties, but neither could take advantage.

Bargoed were close to scoring five minutes before the break, but were again forced into a knock-on when in the ruck five metres from the try-line.

The away side took the lead in the final minute of the first half. Bargoed’s John Lavender was sinbinned for a no arms tackle, Keys chose to kick to touch and from the next play, Rhydian Jenkins bustled over with try and Tovey converted.

Keys’ Richard Cornock was also sent to the bin early in the second half and Bargoed took advantage. From the first piece of running rugby all match, Barney Nightingale sprinted 40 metres to ground with Josh Prosser converting.

Tovey soon kicked a long-range penalty to regain Keys’ lead but Bargoed soon registered their second try when Louis Blacker mauled over. Prosser converted before adding a brace of penalties to put the score onto 20-10 to Bargoed.

Time was running out for Keys but Tovey kicked a penalty with two minutes to go to secure a losing bonus point.

Scorers:
Bargoed – Tries: B Nightingale, L Blacker; Cons: J Prosser (2); Pens: J Prosser (2)
Keys – Try: R Jenkins; Con: J Tovey; Pens: J Tovey (2)

Bargoed: J Mogg; D Dyer, B Nightingale, D Humphries, A Norton; J Prosser, J Leadbetter; J Lavender (R Morgan 50), R Buckley (L Lippiett 56), A Gardner-Key (N Thomas 56); L Blacker (c), A Powell, L Johnson, A Herbert (J Locke 17), G Rogers.

Cross Keys: L Andrews; W Cunliffe, S Majkic, D Williams (I Newbury 70), M Williams; J Tovey, O Leonard (D Babos 74); G Carpenter (C Hewlett 56), R Jenkins (C Vaughan 61), R Cornock; D Welch (c), H Reader (S Hoskins 50, H Reader 58, J Carlin 70), L Evans, T Lampard, J Thomas.

Keys star man: Jason Tovey