IT was heartbreak for Cross Keys after outside-half Ethan Davies missed a penalty with the last kick of the game which would have put his side in the Swalec Cup final.

In many ways they only had themselves to blame for losing a dramatic semi-final at Aberavon’s Talbot Athletic Ground.

A faltering lineout, too many basic handling errors and turnovers cost the 2012 winners their third final appearance in four years.

They were the better side for much of the match, but just failed to edge an excellent encounter.

A beautifully struck penalty by fly-half Craig Evans gave Quins a 3-0 lead after just three minutes only for it to be soon cancelled out by his a fine kick by opposite number Davies.

Quins nosed themselves ahead almost immediately however when Evans was on target again from a penalty following a high tackle.

But the Gwent Valleys side took the lead for the first time after 13 minutes when wing Nathan Trowbridge scored a converted try after a neat chip ahead by Wales Sevens player Davies.

The Quins hit back with a gem of a converted try when blindside Shaun Evans tore through the Keys defence before full-back Dale Ford just managed to touch down despite some desperate last-ditch tackling in the 17th minute.

Keys had the edge for the next minutes only for a forward pass or turnover to frustrate them.

They got their reward when Davies slotted a penalty after half an hour to tie the scores after Keys’ edge in the scrum saw the West Walians concede.

But every time Keys clawed their way back, Quins responded, this time when wing Gavin Thomas finished off a sparkling move for an unconverted try.

The half ended with Keys on top but Quins leading 18-13.

A scrappy opening to the second half saw the Gwent side make countless basic errors as they tried to force their way back into it.

But they showed great patience, backs and forwards combining superbly to make the hard yards, to send wing Mathew Powell over in the 53rd minute, Davies majestically converting to give his side a 20-18 lead.

But sustained Quins pressure saw Evans put his side back in the lead with a penalty with 12 minutes to go.

Keys’ lineout woes meant they were unable to build momentum and left chasing the game.

They were give a lifeline in the last minute, but Davies’ high pressure penalty from about 40 metres out sailed wide of the uprights to the despair of Keys and ecstasy of the Quins.

Evans was named man of the match, but the honour should have gone to Keys’ outstanding openside Scott Matthews.

Cross Keys: L Andrews (capt), M Powell, N Williams (P Williams 78), B Nightingale, N Trowbridge, E Davies, J Leadbeater, L Garrett, D Hughes (E Shipp 75), L Brown (R Cornock 65), T Lampard (D Hodge 65), S Andrews (S Williams 74), I Jones, S Matthews, A Powell.

Scorers: Tries – N Trowbridge 13, M Powell 53, Conversions – E Davies 13, 53, Penalties – E Davies 8, 31.

Carmarthen Quins: D Ford (I Evans 56), L Williams (K Jones 44), D Morgans, R Williams, G Thomas, C Evans, K Hardy, N Williams (G Robinson 55), R Elias, I Jones (capt) (W Taylor 55), J Helps, H Pugh, S Evans, W Boyde, L Taylor.

Scorers: Tries – D Ford 17, G Thomas 33, Conversion – C Evans 17, Penalties – C Evans 3, 10, 68.

Referee: Dan Jones (WRU).

Argus star man: Scott Matthews