CROSS Keys fell to defeat against Llanelli thanks to a host of costly mistakes that let the visitors in for soft tries, writes Paul Hopkins.

The visitors took an early lead through an Ashley Sutton penalty goal after the Keys’ defence stepped offside in midfield.

Then Sutton let a ball bounce into the grateful hands of Leon Andrews, who set up an attack. Scott Williams made a break through midfield and Ieuan Jones was on hand to crash over for a try.

Scott Matthews was penalised for entering a ruck offside and Sutton chipped to the corner, but a solid home defence prevented a score.

A long period of pressure saw the Llanelli forwards inch towards the try line before Taylor Davies took the ball on an angle to score.

Llanelli retook the lead against the run of play when Sutton picked up a loose ball and sprinted forward to send Matthew Jenkins clear for a try.

And a third try soon followed for the visitors when Ryan Davies intercepted a pass inside his own twenty-two and he beat the chasing Nathan Trowbridge to score.

Cross Keys were their own enemy at times and a fumbled pass, followed by a missed tackle, let in Matthew Jenkins for his second try.

The home side were handed a way back into the match when Mathew Powell hacked forward a loose ball from inside his own half, which he collected to score.

Sutton kicked his side 15 points ahead with a penalty goal after Keys’ strayed offside at the breakdown, but it was Keys who grabbed a third try through Tom Lampard, when the lock powered past two Llanelli defenders to score.

It wasn’t to be for Cross Keys though as the West Walian team controlled possession in the final minutes to see out victory.

Cross Keys – Tries: I Jones, M Powell, T Lampard; Cons: J Leadbeater (2); Pen: J Leadbeater

Llanelli – Tries: T Davies, M Jenkins (2), R Davies; Cons: A Sutton (2); Pens: A Sutton (2)