CROSS Keys pride themselves on giving youth a chance and it was an 18-year-old on his debut who helped them pull off a stunning win over Cardiff.

Dragons Academy winger Lloyd Lewis scored a remarkable individual try on the stroke of half time to shift the balance in his team’s favour.

Keys had been under the cosh for much of the first 40 minutes, their scrum and lineout under intense pressure.

But credit to them, they stuck at it and went into the interval all square at 13-13 thanks to Lewis’ wonderful converted try.

They didn’t look back and were by far the better team in the second half and led 30-19 with a quarter of an hour to go before weathering a Cardiff comeback to claim a well deserved and highly satisfying victory, particularly after last week’s painful 29-25 defeat at home to Bedwas.

The last three encounters between these two sides had resulted in a trio of emphatic triumphs for the visitors who averaged a hefty 36-11 advantage in a hat trick of convincing wins.

It looked as if the Blue and Blacks were highly motivated to break that cycle and had wheeled out the big guns for this clash with a number of Cardiff Blues regional players involved.

They included 2012 Grand Slam winner, the scrum half Lloyd Williams and tighthead prop Scott Andrews who was a member of Wales' Six Nations title success last year.

And the hosts got off to a flying start and led 10-0 in as many minutes after Keys conceded a soft try, Cardiff wing Mike Stephens allowed to race in for a try down the touchline all too easily, fly half Dean Gunter, who won the Swalec Cup with the Gwent side, converting well from the touchline.

When he added a penalty soon after the hosts launched another ominous attack, it looked as though it would be a nightmarish day for Keys.

But they showed great spirit to hit back with two of their own from opposite number Dorian Jones back with the Pandy Park side after a run of games with the Newport Gwent Dragons.

Gunter put Cardiff 13-6 ahead only for Lewis to stun them after Keys launched a great counter attack from deep.

Gunter restored the home side's lead with a penalty just after the interval and things were looking up for them in the 50th minute when Keys lock Dan Hodge was sin binned for killing the ball.

A large fist fight broke out soon after between the forwards which saw Cardiff lock Craig Lodge and Keys second row Scott Andrews yellow carded.

Keys showed great character when down to 13 men when their outstanding openside flanker Scott Matthews finished superbly under the posts after Keys spread the ball from a lineout in their opponents' 22, Jones giving his side a 20-16 lead with the conversion.

A monster penalty by the No 10 then extended his side's lead to seven points with just over 20 minutes to go only for Gunter to cancel it out.

Keys who stretched their advantage when some lovely work up the touchline by replacements Luke Garrett and Nathan Williams led to scrum half James Leadbeater finishing well for smart converted try and a 30-19 lead.

It was shortlived however because Cardiff hit back well with replacement back rower Ieuan Jones on the end of an excellent move for an unconverted try.

But Keys held on to secure a fantastic win that had looked so unlikely early in the first half.

Keys director of rugby Jonathan Westwood said: “We are delighted with the victory and we showed a huge amount of character to come back.

“To be brutally honest, we were lucky to be in it going into half time and we have to thank Lloyd for a moment of pure brilliance with his wonderful try.

"Our set piece was woeful in the first half and we had to make some big calls at the interval.

"I thought our players were magnificent, particularly Scott Matthews, Polu Uhi and Adam Powell."

Cardiff: James Loxton, Harry Davies, Richard Smith, Will Rees Hole (Shaun Powell 68, Mike Stephens, Dean Gunter (Joe Griffin 68), Lloyd Williams (Tom Slater 70), Callum Lewis (Lewis Smout 53), Rhys Williams (Joe Tomlinson 76), Scott Andrews, (Bruce Douglas 74), Craig Lodge, James Goode, Nick White (Ieuan Jones 53), Jonathan Edwards (captain) (Miles Normandale 66), Rory Watts Jones.

Cardiff scorers: Tries - Mike Stephens (2), Ieuan Jones (67), Conversions - Gunter (2), Penalties - Gunter (8) (32) (45) (62)

Cross Keys: Ryan Lee (Ryan James 68), Elliott Jones (Nathan Trowbridge 26), Leon Andrews (captain), Polu Uhi, Lloyd Lewis (Nathan Williams 62), Dorian Jones, James Leadbeater, Keagan Bale (Luke Garrett 56), Jon Howard (Darren Hughes 41), Anthony Lott (Craig Gould 41), Danny Hodge, Scott Andrews (Simon Williams 70), Jack Condy (Josh Skinner 62), Scott Matthews, Adam Powell.

Cross Keys scorers: Tries - Lloyd Lewis (39), Scott Matthews (54), James Leadbeater (65), Conversions - D Jones (39) (54) (65), Penalties - D Jones (21) (26) (56)

Referee: Greg Morgan (WRU)

Star man: Scott Matthews