ANOTHER heroic crack at reigning cup and league champions Pontypridd, another gallant defeat for a Cross Keys side who were once again just simply outclassed.

Seven days after going down 33-27 to Ponty in an epic Swalec Cup semi-final at Cardiff Arms Park, the Pandy Park side were once again left to rue what might have been.

They were full value for their half-time lead of 5-3 but were blitzed by the men from Sardis Road early in the second half, the visitors scoring two quick-fire tries which changed the complexion of the game.

The imperious Ponty, it seems, are destined to achieve a remarkable treble double this season after winning both Principality Premiership and Swalec Cup titles in 2013 and 2014, beating Keys in both finals last year.

Keys still look odds on favourites to make the league play-offs but Cardiff’s 34-21 demolition of Bedwas has turned the heat up on them a little.

Greg Woods’ men face Bridgend twice over the next week, away on Tuesday night before hosting them on Saturday, while the capital city side entertain second-placed Ebbw Vale on Friday evening, Keys one point ahead of the Blue and Blacks who have just one game left in the race for a top three spot.

Head coach Woods said: “Ponty’s physicality proved to be too much for us in the end but we are still confident we can make the play-offs.

“We have to dust ourselves down after this disappointment and things are still very much in our hands.”

An intriguing opening saw both sides jostling for supremacy in a ferocious battle, Keys outside half Angus O'Brien, back from Newport Gwent Dragons and Wales Sevens duty, coming close putting them ahead with a long range penalty.

One player to shine in the opening quarter was the home side's tighthead prop Leon Brown with some powerful runs and excellent tackling.

The first score didn't come until the 22nd minute but it was one worth waiting for, scrum half James Leadbeater finishing in style for an unconverted try Keys had to thank wing Polu Uhi and lock Scott Andrews for setting up as they hit Ponty from a turnover on the halfway line.

Full back Matthew Nuthall nearly hit back with a try of his own for the visitors, but he was denied by some fine last-ditch defending.

While Keys struggled at times at set piece, they were performing admirably at the contact area, turning over Ponty on several occasions when they looked to have built up a head of steam.

But Ponty did get on the scoreboard before half-time with the last movement of an entertaining first 40 minutes when their No 10 Jarrod Evans stroked over a penalty after his team had again so nearly crossed for a five-pointer.

Pontypridd took the lead in the 43rd minute when scrum half Tomos Williams scored a fine individual try although Keys' defence, hitherto superb, let them badly down.

The touchdown remained unconverted, the score now 8-5.

It took the visitors just four minutes to score again when lively winger Alex Webber was allowed to cross in the corner all to easily from a scrum for another unconverted try.

Ponty threatened to run riot and caused chaos in Keys ranks when centre Gary Williams cut them to shreds with a break that, unfortunately for the visitors, came to nothing.

But the dangerous midfield man carved them up again in the 62nd minute before offloading to namesake Tomos Williams who crossed for his second try under the posts, converted by Evans.

A powerful burst by replacement back row forward Jack Condy, a target for both the Dragons and Scarlets, gave Keys hope as they made a rare second half charge into the Ponty 22.

Full back James Cordy-Redden spun out of a couple of tackles to give Keys hope with a 66th minute try, converted by O'Brien.

Keys fought on to try and salvage at least a losing bonus point but it was Ponty who notched up five points when centre Gavin Dacey crossed for their bonus point fourth try in the dying minutes after great work down the wing by Webber, Evans' touchline conversion adding to the hosts' misery.

There was time though for the ever impressive Keys openside flanker Scott Matthews to cross a consolation try in the last seconds for Keys, again converted by Matthews.

It was a day to cherish for scrum half Ryan James who came on as a replacement to make his 200th appearance for the hosts.

Keys’ frustration at failing to topple Welsh club rugby’s giants yet again after such a gutsy performance was summed up with a nice touch of black humour when the club’s vice chairman, and announcer, Peter Glastonbury played You Win Again by the Bee Gees on the ground's PA system at the final whistle.

Cross Keys: James Cordy-Redden, Lloyd Lewis, Leon Andrews (capt), Nathan Williams (Ethan Davies 58), Polu Uhi (Nathan Trowbridge 69), Angus O'Brien, James Leadbeater (Ryan James 55), Luke Garrett (Richard Cornock 55), Darren Hughes (Henry Palmer 67), Leon Brown (Anthony Lott 31-41, 46), Scott Andrews (Jack Condy 48), Simon Williams (Dan Hodge 55), Tom Lampard, Scott Matthews, Adam Powell.

Scorers: Tries: Leadbeater (22), Cordy-Redden (66), Matthews (80), Conversions: O'Brien (66), (80).

Pontypridd: Matthew Nuthall (Dale Stuckey 69), Alex Webber, Gavin Dacey, Gary Williams, Owen Jenkins, Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams (Lloyd Williams 64), Bradley Thyer, Aled Morris (Huw Dowden 65), Pat Palmer (Dillon Lewis 12-64, James Howe 64), Craig Locke, Alex Jones, Luke Crocker (Rhys Shellard 63), Wayne O'Connor (capt), Jordan Sieniawski (Dan Godfrey 63).

Replacement: Simon Humberstone.

Scorers: Tries: Tomos Williams (43), (62), Webber (47), Dacey (79), Conversions: Evans (62) (79), Penalties: Evans (40).

Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU).

Argus star man: Scott Matthews