Bridgend 5-66 Cross Keys

CROSS KEYS sealed their place in the Principality Premiership play-offs after dismantling Bridgend at the Brewery Field this evening.

Rampant Keys made light work of the hapless Ravens, with wing Nathan Trowbridge helping himself to a seven-minute second half hat-trick in a thumping 10-try win.

They went into the game knowing a win would secure a top three finish and an all-Gwent clash with Ebbw Vale for the right to meet reigning champions Pontypridd in the Premiership final.

With that now achieved, their target will be to secure a home semi-final by finishing second.

Keys will hope Cardiff will do them a favour by beating Ebbw Vale on Friday night before they clash with Bridgend again at Pandy Park on Saturday.

Ebbw Vale are currently second on 69 points with Keys three points behind in second.

The opening try arrived in the 26th minute when the visitors’ persistence finally paid off and good work from Trowbridge sent outside centre Phil Williams over the line, with outside half Ethan Davies taking care of the extras.

Keys then doubled their advantage five minute later through flanker Scott Matthews, who darting around from the back of a five-metre scrum to score, with Davies once again converting.

Bridgend, too, had their moments and got themselves on the scoreboard right on half time when, after good work from Adam O’Driscoll and Will Baird, outside half James Dixon went over for an unconverted try, as the visitors led 14-5 at half time.

It was Keys who struck again on 51 minutes through prop Richard Cornock, who rolled over with Davies converting and, two minutes later, wing Lloyd Lewis broke sped the right from inside his own half to score, with Davies again converting.

Bridgend have only won twice at home all season and Keys inflicted more pain as they cut loose – and Trowbridge scored on 58, 63 and 65 minutes respectively to rub salt in the home wounds, two of which were converted.

Leon Brown, Davies and James Leadbeater added further tries late on, with Davies converting two of them to take his count to eight.

Scorers- Bridgend – Try: J Dixon

Cross Keys – Tries: P Williams, S Matthews, R Cornock, L Lewis, N Trowbridge (3) L Brown, E Davies, J Leadbeater; Cons: E Davies (8).