A THRILLING and excellent game of rugby played in atrocious conditions saw Cross Keys secure their first home league win of the season.

The Gwent side had led 34-13 at one stage in the first half but Llanelli clawed their way back into the game and the Pandy Park side led just 37-34 in the final minutes until they just managed to close the game out an emerge with a bonus point victory.

The hosts got off to a wonderful start and led 10-0 after just ten minutes after a penalty from Angus O’Brien and a well worked converted try by centre Aled James after a lovely offload from wing Polu Uhi.

Llanelli hit back straight away however when their hooker Darren Harris crossed for a fine converted try of their own.

The frantic opening saw Keys breach the visitors’ try-line in the 13th minute when captain and outside centre Leon Andrews crossed for his side’s second converted try.

Llanelli full back Gareth Walters reduced the home side’s lead to 17-10 with a penalty shortly after and he slotted over another one in the 20th minute only for it to be cancelled out by O’Brien from the re-start.

With the masterful O’Brien and outstanding openside flanker Scott Matthews leading the way, a third converted a try was created, this time scrum half James Leadbeater getting the touchdown.

Matthews got the bonus point try in the bag in the 33rd minute, after a lovely chip by O’Brien who also converted it, and it was no more than he deserved. Keys now led 34-13.

Walters crossed for a nice try for the West Walians which he also converted just before the interval but there was still time for an O’Brien penalty to give them a 37-20 advantage at the break.

Llanelli drew first blood in the 45th minute when they were awarded a penalty try which Walters converted.

The visitors made life very difficult for the home side in the second 40 as Llanelli dominated for the most part, Keys needing to put a big defensive shift in.

After hammering the door Llanelli broke it down with four minutes to go when their impressive number eight Craig Price crossed from the back of scrum, the conversion making it 37-34 and setting up a tense finish.

But Keys’ nerves were settled when hooker Darren Hughes powered over for a try, O’Brien’s conversion giving them a 10-point buffer.

Argus star men: Angus O’Brien and Scott Matthews