STRUGGLING Cross Keys were hammered by powerful Pontypridd who stormed over for 11 tries to coast into second place in the Principality Premiership table behind Merthyr, writes Geoff Champion.

Leon Andrews and his men simply did not have an answer to the pace mesmerising attacking of Ponty and their only ray of sunshine in a completely one-sided match was a brace of tries from right wing Rory Budina.

Both scores came from interceptions with Budina racing 80 metres for his first In the 25th minute. Outside half Will Kelly kicked a conversion.

Ponty’s tries came from wing Alex Webber, full back Dale Stuckey (2), No. 8 Steffan Jenkins, prop Gareth Smith, hooker Geraint Clarke, lock Sean Moore, centre Alex Knott, replacement scrum-half Huw Rees, replacement lock Ioan Davies and flanker Alun Lawrence.

Outside half Ben Jones kicked nine conversions.

Apart from Budina’s efforts, there was little to shout about in the Cross Keys camp who will need to regroup quickly if they are to get back to winning ways.

Cross Keys, who had lost their last five Principality Premiership matches, knew they would be in a tough battle at Sardis Road because buoyant Ponty were challenging Merthyr at the top of the table.

With Jason Tovey moving back into the Dragons’ ranks, Keys switched Canadian prospect Will Kelly from full back to fill the fly half position. The visitors also rang the changes up front following their disappointing 34-44 home defeat at the hands of Bedwas.

Ponty went 14-0 ahead after just six minutes of play. Left wing Lewis created an overlap down the right and sent Webber bursting over for a corner try in the first attack and five minutes later Stuckey crossed for a try on the right.

Jones added the conversion points to both touchdowns with splendid kicks from the touchline. The one-way traffic continued with Jenkins grabbing a 12th minute unconverted try from a rolling maul followed midway through the first half with a touchdown by Smith which Jones converted.

Budina gave Keys some relief when he intercepted a pass near his line and sprinted 80 metres up the right touchline for a dramatic unconverted try but Clarke and Moore added further Ponty tries, both converted by Jones, to make the interval score 40-5. Ponty continued the rampage in the second half.


Scorers:
Pontypridd – Tries:  A Webber, D Stuckey (2), S Jenkins, G Smith, G Clarke, S Moore , A Knott, H Rees, I Davies, A Lawrence; Cons: B Jones (9)
Cross Keys – Tries: R Budina (2); Con: W Kelly

Pontypridd: D Stuckey; A Webber, A Knott, D Lockyer, capt., (G Davies 53) C Lewis; B Jones, D Blacker (H Rees 68); C Domachowski (H Owen 69), G Clarke (R Jones 71), G Smith (J Popple 71), S Moore, C Dicomidis (I Davies 73), A Lawrence , M Sieniawski and S Jenkins (L Evans 51).

Cross Keys: L Andrews, capt.; R Budina, S Majkic, D Williams, I Newbury (J Adams 40); W Kelly, O Leonard (M Evans 54); T Hansen (S Evans 43), Z Hewlett (C Vaughan 64), S Hoskins (R Cornock 43) T James, T Lampard ( I Duffy 48), J Thoma(J Carlin 58)s, C Johnsey and G Rees.

Cross Keys star man: Rory Budina