CROSS Keys kept up the pressure on Pontypridd and Aberavon with this excellent away win down in West Wales writes Huw S Thomas.

It was their sixth victory in the last seven games with one game drawn and they have not lost a Premiership game since the home defeat at the hands of Cardiff on September 12.

Coach Greg Woods was more than happy with four points.

“We did not play particularly well but we have had some very tough games down west, so we are delighted to keep our recent good form going.”

“There was never much in it but we had that little bit better control in the loose and just about deserved the win.”

Consistent early pressure brought a very good opening try when slick, quick passing from fly half Josh Prosser, wing Nathan Trowbridge and full back Ethan Davies put wing Popl Uhi over in the corner.

Davies converted high handsomely before the Quins scored against the run of play.

Sharp running and passing from full back Chris Banfield and wing Kieran Jones worked scrum half Kieran Hardy over wide out, skipper Craig Evans converting.

A great break from Leon Andrews all but brought Uhi a second try, the wing knocking on in sight of the line but with more possession the Quins started to look more dangerous.

But it was the Keys who got the next score just before the break when a multi handling move started by Uhi ended with scrum half James Leadbeater racing in under the posts for a converted try.

The 16-8 half time score in favour of the visitors was a fair reflection of play.

The Quins scrummaged very strongly but Keys were stronger in the contact area where Scott Matthews was always in the thick of things.

A Davies penalty made it 18-8 in a very tight contest and it took a grand piece of covering from fly half Josh Prosser to save the day for Keys.

Keys finished strongly and were close to another try and it was left to the excellent Davies to seal the away win with a 35 metre penalty five minutes into extra time .

Outstanding for Keys behind the scrum were wings Uhi and Trowbridge, full back Davies and centre Leon Andrews whilst Matthews and No 8 Adam Powell were powerful influences up front.

Carmarthen Quins Tries: K Hardy Cons: C Evans

Cross Keys Tries: P Uhi, J Leadbeater Cons: E Davies (2) Pens: E Davies (2)

Carmarthen Quins: C Banfield (D Ford 45); K Jones (K Hardy 75), D Morgans, M Griffiths (R Williams 61), I Evans; C Evans (capt), K Hardy (C Lloyd 68); N Williams (G Robinson 51), R Elias (R Clancy 53/ I Phillips 72), S Thomas (C Rumbelow 79), B Thompson (O Hitchings 25), J Helps, H Pugh, L Taylor, S Evans

Cross Keys: E Davies; P Uhi, L Andrews (capt), P Williams (N Williams 64), N Trowbridge; J Prosser, J Leadbeater (O Leonard 79); R Cornock, D Hughes (E Shipp 75), A Lott (L Garrett 56), S Andrews, T Lampard (S Williams 56), J Skinner (I Jones 64), A Powell, S Matthews

Referee: Gwyn Morris (Cardiff)

Star Choice: Ethan Davies (Cross Keys)