CROSS Keys got their season back on track by putting Neath to the sword to secure a thumping bonus point victory at Pandy Park.

The hosts were in ruthless mood to destroy the Welsh All Blacks with a clinical display that saw them move off the base of the Premiership after two disappointing defeats.

The Gwent Valleys side scored six tries in all, with their fly half Geraint Rhys Jones controlling matters expertly from No 10 and converting all six touchdowns as well as slotting over two penalties to end the game with an 18-point haul.

It was a fine all-round team performance to hammer poor Neath who have endured a spectacular fall from grace since the days when they used to dominate Welsh club rugby in the not too distant past.

It seems unfair to single out individuals after such a complete performance but the Keys back row of Josh Skinner, Scott Matthews and Ieuan Jones were outstanding.

The ever outstanding openside flanker, and now skipper, Matthews, 22, grabbed two tries in a towering performance.

The home side are continuing their fine tradition of blooding young talent and they ended the game with three teenagers in their front row in replacement hooker Ellis Shipp and props Corey Hewlett and Christian Coleman.

Keys started brightly and severely tested the visitors’ defence in the opening 10 minutes only for the Welsh All Blacks to hold firm with some outstanding tackling.

The home side took a deserved lead after a quarter of an hour when Jones put over a long range penalty just inside the opposition half.

The Gwent side continued to boss proceedings and pierced the visitors’ defence when Jones tore through a huge gap and put full back Josh Prosser in for a converted try with a deft inside pass.

Keys were 10-0 up after 21 minutes and full value for it.

Starved of possession for huge chunks of the first half, the men from the Gnoll had precious few opportunities to build momentum.

But they did get on the scoreboard after 32 minutes when their full back Ed Howley struck over a monster penalty, similar the Jones’ effort.

The half ended with the Gwent side putting the squeeze on their opponents again, hooker Darren Hughes crossing for his side’s second converted try after Neath resistance was broken in the 38th minute and Keys completely bossing proceedings 17-3 at the interval.

The hosts extended their lead early in the second half when Jones put over his second penalty.

The Welsh All Blacks made wholesales changes in a bid to claw their way back.

But it was still one-way traffic as Keys got their third converted try after Matthews took a quick tap penalty a la Martyn Williams for Wales in Paris back in 2005 in their momentous win over France.

The bonus point fourth try was chalked up when wing Mathew Powell intercepted to run home from 70 metres as Neath mounted a rare attack.

With Neath’s will completely broken, centre Leon Andrews got their fifth touchdown 10 minutes from the end.

There was still time for Matthews to get his second, as Williams did in that 24-18 victory over the French 11 years ago, and complete the rout.

It is struggling Swansea who are next up for Keys.

They entertain the troubled All Whites, who were humbled 29-9 away at Bargoed on the weekend, on Saturday.

Cross Keys: J Prosser (L Barnett 68), M Powell, L Andrews, B Nightingale (N Williams 64), J Unwin, G R Jones, J Leadbeater (R Pritchard 64), L Smout (C Hewlett 64), D Hughes (E Shipp 64), G Carpenter (C Coleman 64), D Hodge (S Williams 71), T Lampard, J Skinner, Scott Matthews (capt), I Jones (A Powell 59) Cross Keys scorers: Tries – J Prosser 21, D Hughes 38, S Matthews 56, 78, M Powell 63, L Andrews 70, Conversions – G R Jones 21, 38, 56, 63, 70, 78, Penalties – G R Jones 15, 43.

Neath: E Howley, A Grabham, G Evans, M Pearce (K Williams 46), C Morgans, I Evans (L Ward 46), J Guy (R Morgan-Williams 43); N White (M Jeffreys 22), S Crocker (I Phillips 46), R Thomas (G James 39); L Bateman, J Barley (L Price 46); J Collier (capt), A Cockwell (C Davies 53), Charlie Davies.

Neath scorer: Penalty – E Howley.

Referee: Gareth Newman (WRU) Argus star man: Scott Matthews