IF there are to be new pretenders to Pontypridd's crown they could well come from Cross Keys after they stunned the league champions in an enthralling encounter at Pandy Park.

The Gwent Valleys side showed great guts and ability to battle back from 14-0 down early in the second half to win the match with the very last kick of the game.

Ethan Davies showed nerves of steel to slot over a difficult penalty from just inside the Ponty half to spark scenes of unadulterated ecstasy among the Keys team, coaches and faithful.

It is no mean feat beating the outstanding men from Sardis Road who suffered their first league defeat since Bridgend lowered their colours nine months ago in January.

For Keys, it was their first victory over Pontypridd since a stunning 38-17 away triumph in December 2013.

The home side's success this time was spearheaded by their magnificent scrum and front row forwards Luke Garrett, Darren Hughes and Leon Brown making life hell for their opponents.

If the front row shone for Keys, then a player to look out for with a big future is Ponty's magnificent young fly half Jarrod Evans.

But it wasn't just the front row who deserve the plaudits for everyone played their part.

They may even have been given a bit of luck by the appearance in the crowd of a great rugby man of Gwent, former Newport and Wales hooker and captain Mike 'Spikey' Watkins.

After securing a superb win away over Ebbw Vale last week, last season's Principality Premiership runners-up, this wonderful win over reigning champions makes Greg Woods and Jonathan Westwood's men genuine contenders to upset the balance of power.

A fiercely opening saw both teams size each other up but solid defences kept the game scoreless until the 18th minute.

Ponty deservedly took the lead when scrum half Joel Raikes won a foot race to score an unconverted try in the corner after the visitors' dangerous No 10 Evans had gathered his own smart kick and booted on again.

Wing Lewis I Williams came close to extending Ponty's advantage soon after when he narrowly failed to touch down after he had chipped ahead after his forwards had secured a turnover on halfway.

Keys needed to roll up their sleeves with the game in danger of running away for them.

They did mount a series of offensives close to the half hour mark deep in enemy territory only for poor handling and their opponents' excellent defence to keep them from mounting any serious attacks.

Some exciting end-to-end stuff, started by a terrific turnover by home side lock Tom Lampard, nearly ended in Ponty nearly got their second try soon after but Keys full back Davies just grounded the ball before opposition wing Owen Jenkins could touch it down after he kicked ahead.

An enjoyable arm wrestle of a first half ended with the away side 6-0 up. Keys' lineout had let them down in the opening 40 minutes, losing two of their own throws.

The classy Evans made the hosts pay for a silly late tackle on him by openside flanker Scott Matthews which earned them prime territory from a penalty.

After Ponty had secured possession the gifted young outside half ghosted home through the Keys defence for a fine try he converted just three minutes into the second half.

The hosts had to hit back and they did so almost immediately when they were awarded a penalty try after a number of driving mauls were halted illegally.

With the home side's scrum giving the visitors a torrid time, they were presented with great field position from a penalty.

From another dominant set piece, great work by the hosts gave Matthews the space to romp home for a try near the posts, but Davies missed the kickable conversion.

Still it was now 14-14 with just over 25 minutes to go.

But from the re-start, the hosts infringed and Evans slotted over Ponty's first penalty of the season in their seventh game to put their noses in front.

The outstanding Evans scored a breathtaking unconverted individual try in the 60th minute that took him through several despairing would-be tacklers.

The conversion was wide but Ponty looked as though they might be on their way to another win.

But Keys weren't done and they looked odds on to be awarded a penalty try from a series of dominant scrum fives but it was hooker Darren Hughes who broke the deadlock, his try converted by Davies who tied the scores at 22-22 with just five minutes to go.

Ponty pressed for a winning score but some heroic defence kept them at bay in the dying minutes.

Jenkins was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on replacement Keys wing Elliot Jones.

The home side pressed and were given the chance of winning the game with a penalty kick from just inside the Ponty half.

Up stepped Davies to win the game with his magnificent shot and consign Ponty to suffer a rare taste of defeat.

Cross Keys: Ethan Davies, Lloyd Lewis (Nathan Trowbridge 67), Leon Andrews (c), Phil Williams, Polu Uhi, Josh Prosser (Elliot Jones 67, James Leadbeater, Luke Garrett (Richard Cornock 76), Darren Hughes, Leon Brown, Scott Andrews, Tom Lampard, Ieuan Jones (Reuben Tucker 41, Simon Williams 64), Scott Matthews, Adam Powell.

Replacements: Ellis Shipp, Anthony Lott, Owain Leonard.

Scorers: Tries: Penalty try, Scott Matthews, Darren Hughes, Conversion: Ethan Davies, Penalty: Davies.

Pontypridd: Adam Thomas, Lewis I Williams, (Alex Webber 76), Gavin Dacey, Dafydd Lockyer (capt), Owen Jenkins, Jarrod Evans, Joel Raikes (Lloyd Williams 60), Chris Phillips (Huw Dowden 73), Liam Belcher (Ashleigh James 59), Keiron Jenkins (Corey Domachowski 60), Dan Godfrey, Chris Dicomidis (Wayne O'Connor 76), Hemi Barnes (Jake Thomas 60), Rhys Shellard, Owen Sheppeard.

Replacement: Ceri Sweeney.

Scorers: Tries: Joel Raikes, Jarrod Evans (2),Conversions: Evans, Penalties: Evans.

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

Argus star man: Leon Brown